Reuters 121 all out (Edi 51,Adam 28,Grigg 3 for 13,Radermaker 2 for 29)

Pacific 123 for 5 (Purcell 41,Emminns 32,Insha 2 for 31,Adam 1 for 17)

With the drizzle commencing during my trudge from Homerton station, I had a feeling the next few hours could have a few surprises in store for the Victoria Park Cup quarter finalists. Losing the toss for the second time in a row and promptly being asked to field, Pacific started gamely in tricky conditions underfoot (thanks to the recent heavy shower).

Martin Cowling (0 for 15 of 4 overs, outstanding economy!!) and Rob Allum (1 for 37 off 4 overs) started the bowling with a tidy line against the Reuters openers. The breakthrough came quickly, with Kurt Radermaker (showing Moonwalking-like style on the extremely slick outfield) taking a skied catch at backward point off the bowling of Allum. This brought Reuters skipper Edi (51) to the crease to begin a fruitful partenership with Adam (28).

With a Cowling over left for the death, Radermaker (2 for 29 off 4 overs) was brought into the attack. With the Reuters bats starting to find their range (with Allum finishing his spell, skipper Rob Bastin brought himself into the attack and proceeded to be smashed for 15 in his only over!) a double wicket breakthrough in Radermaker's second over helped to stem the flow of runs. First to go was the second opener Adam, clean bowled by a Radermaker 'Special Delivery'. Four balls later, Guy (2) followed him back to the Pavilion after a cool catch from Braden Grigg at square leg.

Grigg (3 for 13 of 3.2 overs) was brought into the attack and produced an instant result, bowling Edi with a gem. The Reuters bats continued to put on the runs, but the momentum appeared to have shifted with the loss of their skipper. Mark added 22, but a couple more wickets by Grigg (with catches from Lucius Faisal and Bastin) and a tidy final over from Cowling left Reuters on 121 all out off 15.2 overs.

In fast failing light, Pacific began their chase in the worst possible manner, with the in form Grigg being bowled for a 'Golden' by Insha (2 for 31 off 4 overs). Radermaker (5) and Faisal (8) followed quickly in the murk with another wicket for Insha and one for Adam (1 for 17 off 4 overs). This left Pacific at 18 for 3 after 4 overs, with a heavy shower causing players on both pitches to run for cover.

The light improved a little as the cloud lifted following this downpour, allowing the two new bats (Sammy Purcell (41) and Steve Emminns (32)) to steady the boat and gather some momentum towards the target. Some well timed boundaries and good pressure on the field allowed Pacific to advance to 70 for 3 in the 10th over. Edi (1 for 28 off 3 overs) secured the wicket of Emminns via an LBW, bringing Cowling (23 not out) to the crease to continue the chase.

Hitting the ground running with a number of powerful strokes, Cowling and Purcell placed Pacific in the position of requiring 9 to win off the final over. The first delivery of the last over from Guy (1 for 16 off 2 overs) removed Purcell's bails to bring Allum (10 not out) to the crease (9 off 5 balls). A couple of strong shots through mid-on (just stopping short of the boundary) for 2 apiece left Pacific requiring 5 off 3. A dot! Another dot!! By this point an ethereal mist had descended onto the pitch, shrouding all in an almost Arthurian veil. In this light, Guy charged in to deliver the final delivery of the game. A shot rang around the ground. A boundary!! A SIX!!! The umpire's raised arms. The Pacific players charging onto the pitch (Bastin still in pads and helmet, a bat in one hand, an umbrella in the other) to congratulate the mighty game winning stroke from Allum. A great game, played in great spirits, with a fitting climax.

With the other quarter-final still being played on the other pitch and near darkness (which Chat's Palace went on to win, providing the semi-final opponents for Pacific) both sides retired to a local beverage establishment to mull over the game and be deafened by a Karaoke event.

Rearranged 1/4 final. MC,BG,KR,RB*,LF,SE+,RA,SP