Jon Webley scored his second century of the weekend, as Pacific raced
to their highest ever score in a limited over game. A disciplined
bowling display completed a fine win over UCS Old Boys.
Pacific 281 all out (39.1 overs) Webley 120, Grigg 53, Rademaker 41, Irfan 5-30
UCS Old Boys 125 all out (21.3 overs) Ullah 43, Smith 3-30, Webley 2-9, Bastin 2-17
Pacific Captain Braden Grigg was hoping for runs, as he won the toss
and elected to bat on another beautiful July day. The initial signs
weren't promising, as Peter Hollman (4) and Adrian Duthie (11) fell to
the UCS opening bowlers.
Any hope UCS may have had of tearing the heart out of the Pacific
innings was quickly ended, as Jon Webley and Grigg put the bowlers to
the sword. As the boundaries kept coming, the run rate climbed at an
alarming rate, with no less than seven sixes struck in a devastating
period. Pacific had reached 142 runs at 20 overs, with no signs of
stopping.
The breakthrough finally came, as Grigg (53 off 38 balls) was stumped
off a wide going for one shot too many with the score on 142 (104
partnership). This brought Kurt Rademaker to the crease, looking to get in
on the run scoring act. Webley and his new partner continued to pile
on the runs, with Webley reaching his second century of the weekend
off just 75 balls.
The UCS bowlers continued bravely, enduring both the heat of the sun
and the hard hitting Pacific bats with equal vigour. Their efforts
were repaid with Webley finally falling on 120 (off 88 balls), another
100 partnership having taken Pacific onto 252 in the 31st over.
In comparison to the earlier hitting, Pacific limped through the last
few overs, losing their remaining 6 wickets for just 29 runs to close
on 281 off 39.1 overs. Irfan was the pick of the UCS bowlers with 5
for 30 off 6.1 overs.
UCS started as they had to go on, trying to generate momentum for the
long run chase ahead by staying around the mammoth required run rate
of 7 an over. But any hope appeared to disappear as wickets steadily
fell. First, the UCS openers Morris (10, Matt Holliday taking a sharp
chance behind) and Abel (9) fell to Rademaker (5 overs, 0 mdns, 2
wickets for 34 runs). They were soon followed back to the hutch by
Rickett (9) and Rosenthal (10) off the bowling of James Smith (8-2-30-3),
leaving UCS on 48 for 4.
With the UCS chase appearing to come apart at the seams, Ullah and Bolsom took
the attack back to the Pacific bowlers. Some clean shots, and a couple
of half chances, had brought the required rate into view. But the
recovery could not last, with Bolsom falling to Smith for 16. I Rose
(2) and Youruff (1) soon followed, leaving UCS on 110 for 7.
Ullah continued to frustrate the Pacific bowlers Webley (3-1-9-2) and
James Gleadow (3-0-26-0), moving onto a rapid 43. Soon though, his lives ran
out in spectacular fashion, as Matt Callender pulled off a candidate
for catch of the season, diving full length in the covers to pick a
final full blooded strike out of mid air off the bowling of Webley.
The final partnership saw the Rose brothers come together at the
crease, the elder of the two being the final wicket, bowled by Rob
Bastin (2.3-0-17-2) for 5. Pacific applauded off the day's century
hero, before joining their hosts at the bar for some well deserved
refreshment. Pacific had won by 156 runs, in a game memorable for the
clear blue skies and the excellent spirit of the hosts in their
defeat.
Man of the Match : Jon Webley - Second century of the weekend and two wickets, no question.
Pacific recorded their highest 40 over total thanks to Jon Webley's 2nd 100 of the weekend & the men who batted with him to give Braden Grigg a winning starting to the Captaincy & yet this was still overshadowed in the field by an oustanding Colloingwood catch & performance from Matt Callender.
XI : Rob Bastin, Adrian Duthie, Kurt Rademaker, John Hill, Matt Holliday, Peter Hollman, James Smith, Braden Grigg, James Gleadow, Jon Webley, Matt Callender. Kit is with JW. Book with RB & match ball JD. All to meet at ground by 1.30pm
