Pacific battered New Barbarian Weasels as they sauntered to a rare 10 wicket win. Skipper Steve Lay used 9 bowlers as the Weasels' innings never really got going on a good Cambridge batting track - and he then combined with fellow veteran Peter Hollman in an unbroken 135 run opening stand. Hollman blasted an uncharacteristically belligerent 65 - while Lay secured his fifty just before the target was reached - despite initial fears that he had been left just short of the milestone.
New Barbarian Weasels 132 All Out (Wheldan 44, Braden Grigg 3 for 6, Martin Cowling 3 for 20)
Pacific 135 for 0 (Peter Hollman 65*, Steve Lay 51*)
On a muggy day at Caius College Cambridge – New Barbarian Weasels won the toss and decided to bat first in this all-day game. They got off to a disastrous start when Nigel Richards was bowled second ball by a Martin Cowling inswinger. This was soon followed by a smart caught and bowled by the same bowler.
Wheldan was showing signs of resistance – although bowler Olli Haill might have hoped one of his airborne shots could have gone to hand instead of to the boundary. However the early introduction of Braden Grigg’s left-arm spin paid dividends as first Woodhead was brilliantly caught behind by Ian Lay and then dangerman Wheldan’s slog was well held in the deep by skipper Steve Lay – the batsman departing for 44.
With Kurt Rademaker getting a wicket via a juggling Sammy Purcell at gulley – and Grigg claiming his third when Ali was comprehensively bowled – the game looked like it was coming to a premature end. The Weasels problems were compounded as they had started one short. Veteran wicketkeeper Hurley has often provided resistance in the past – and so it was left to him and Pagan to see the visitors through to lunch – effectively 7 wickets down.
During the pre-lunch session – medium pacer Colin Black bowled a spell of four consecutive maidens and Aussie Shane Mundie enjoyed his first spell for the club. Even old-timer Peter Hollman was given the pre-lunch over!
After lunch Sammy Purcell had his first ever bowl for Pacific – with Welshman Jim Davies keeping things tight at the other end. It was Davies who eventually broke through – trapping Pagan leg before. When Cowling returned to trap Hurley in front for 24 – skipper Owen enjoyed a few big hits – before anxiety about avoiding the strike led to last man Wilson being run out.
132 all out so early n the day on a good track – with 9 Pacific bowlers used – really never looked like being enough for the Weasels. It soon became clear that they also had a weakened bowling attack – and veteran pair Peter Hollman and Steve Lay were soon tucking into some buffet bowling. The old timers were soon helping themselves to runs – as with no time pressure they waited for the fairly frequent bad balls to put away.
With the rest of the batsmen green with envy – the pair batted easily either side of tea – with Lay offering the only difficult chance to slip. Otherwise they made serene progress – only in Owen’s opening spell and when Wheldan was belatedly introduced was there any pressure exerted by the bowlers. Indeed Hollman became uncharacteristically flamboyant once his fifty had been reached – mowing a ball over midwicket for four!
The only tension at the end of the game was whether the pair could bat through for an historic 10 wicket win – and whether skipper Lay would join Hollman in reaching 50. It seemed he had – only to learn on his return to the pavilion that he might only have scored 49! He bought a consolation jug – but a recount showed he had in fact scored 51!
The club’s best ever 10-wicket win was achieved – eclipsing much smaller targets against Redbats and Porlock – the only other two triumphs. However the weakened nature of the Weasels side meant the victory was slightly disappointing – with the game wrapping up more than 2 hours before the scheduled close.
“It’s great to have a 10 wicket win†said skipper Steve Lay later “But a few of our guys were left a bit frustrated not getting more of a game – even though I gave everyone except myself and the keeper a bowl!†he added.
MOM - Peter Hollman - first fifty for over a year in a welcome return to form for the veteran opener
Packing the Kit - Steve Lay - the skipper was the only outfielder not to have a bowl - and then nearly missed out on his fifty.
Stat Corner - This was only the third time in 21 years that Pacific have achieved a 10 wicket win - and it was by far the highest total overcome with no wickets down - being the first time a score of over 100 had been beaten without losing a wicket.
XI: Jim Davies, Peter Hollman, Shane Mundie, Sammy Purcell, Oli Haill, Kurt Rademaker, Colin Black, Martin Cowling, Steve Lay, Ian Lay, Braden Grigg.
