A successful Pacific run chase of over 200 is as rare as summer temperatures in April. However, global warming along with positive team work, has made both eventualities much more common. Set 202 to win in 70 minutes plus 20 overs, "New" Pacific never looked like faltering, romping home with over five overs to spare.
Graces 201-7 dec. R Bielby 60*, L Faisal 12-6-29-5
Pacific 202-5. A Duthie 48, J Davies 45*, R Cross 11-0-42-2
Debutant Captain Dave Murray won the toss and inserted Graces. Despite Wray Crescent's reputation as a good batting wicket, his confidence was rewarded when Graces were reduced to 81-6, mostly due to an agressive opening spell from Lucius Faisal, bowling quickly but also with good control, picking up his first five wicket haul for the club. However, Pacific's lack of bowling depth was subsequently exposed as the new ball softened, and Graces recovered putting on 102 for the seventh wicket thanks to Richard Bielby's excellent 60 not out. A generous declaration from Graces skipper Ian Crossland set Pacific their target.
Crossland opened with leg spinner Iain Spenser-Baird in an interesting move, which almost worked when opener Guy Wiehahn was dropped early on in the slips. However, the runs began to flow, and using a spinner gave Pacific more overs in which to chase. Adrian Duthie recaptured his form of old to hit an authoritative 48, and Jim Davies hit 45 not out, deprived of his fifty only by Dave Murray's whirlwind cameo at the end of 17 not out in 8 balls.
After the match Murray said, "I asked the lads to get 80 on the board with 20 overs to go. In the event we achieved 94, and strolled home from there. Jim and Adrian's batting obviously were key in the run chase, though Lucius's bowling set us up nicely."
Pacific: G Wiehahn, A duthie, M Holliday+, P Czabotar, J davies+, D Gluckman, D murray*, M Alexander, L faisal, M Boonaert, H Patel.
