The teams arrived & were greeted by light rain & spots of pools of water in the outfield. Grace's Captain Ian Crossland immediately declared it unplayable, but luckily the other 21 players were not of the same mind & thoroughly compelling & engrossing match went ahead.
G: 166-6 dec. R Bielby 47. N Wilkinson 12-3-32-5
P: 139-7. D Murray 37, P Hollman 33* R. Bielby 7-0-39-3
Pacific Captain Nigel Wilkinson won the toss & opted to field, but with Paul Attwood & Nick Swinburne making a 50 run opening partnership, this may not have appeared so wise. A wet outfield, a delayed start & 2 rain interruptions did little for the batting side's fluency however, but following the subsequent dismissals of Swinburne 36, bowled by Wilkinson & Attwood 19 lbw Alexander, Richard Bielby followed & impressed with shots all around the wicket. With Mike Alexander apart, Nigel Wilkinson's spell of controlled accurate swing & seam stood out as he picked up 5 of the 6 wickets to fall, 4 bowled & 1 caught at 1st slip.
One shortcoming in Pacific's team selection, was the unavailability of 10 players any one of whom would have been chosen to keep wicket, although Craig Jones kept well enough before debut keeper Darryl Roberts was prepared to give it a go & replaced him. The former's long term knee injury took its' toll. However 2 key catches did go down , & contrasting with the key dismissal that Grace's keeper was to undertake later.
Grace's unorthodox tactic of opening with leg spinner Spencer-Baird paid early dividends when Shayne Rees was caught at 1st slip with the score 8-1. However, Peter Hollman (33) & David Murray (37) made the highest partnership of the match with 67 before Hollman was caught at 1st slip again by Swinburne off the all round impressive Bielby. The run chase at a required 6.5 an over with 9 wickets in hand was the ask at the commencement of the final hour. Matthew Ralph (12) continued the approach with David Murray & then beyond with Craig Jones (19).
A positive result for P still looked feasible, until however, keeper Paul Attwood's one handed catch to dismiss Ralph full stretch down the leg side. It was an absolute blinder & Grace's were visibly lifted by the feat. The incoming middle/lower order batsmen made a brave attempt to keep the required run rate below 8 an over but wickets fell to the cause. Then with the final over to bowl, P needed 33 to win but just 5 runs ensued leaving the side 28 runs short & bemoaning the rain interruptions. In an evenly balanced match & a draw a fair outcome, P had at least achieved a higher run rate & for the rain interrupting G's innings, P may well have achieved the win Wilkinson's bowling would have earned.
"It was great that we got a game in, given the conditions - I can't imagine many other games taking place today - & the fact that it was such a good game was a bonus - a credit to the spirit & attitude of both teams" - Fixture Sec - Peter Hollman An unbeaten April then for the home side as they look to get their league campaign off to similarly positive start against Caledonian Conquerors on Mayday at Wray Crescent.
Pacific: P Hollman, S Rees, D Murray, M Ralph, C Jones+, J Hardisty, D Roberts+, H Patel, M Alexander, A Roberts, N Wilkinson
