Pacific's league season ended 15 minutes after sunset when the last 4 wickets fell in the gloom for 9 runs, thereby falling 15 runs short.
The game had started 15 minutes late but despite what seemed like a plague of flying ants, conditions were clear hot & the sky clear. However, no one could have anticipated RI's 25 wides & 4 no balls - yet it was Pacific who needed the extras as only left handers Shayne Rees (19) & Jim Davies (35) reached double figures with a 2nd wicket partnership worth 78 - after piemeister Guy Wiehahn had been run out in the first over.
The pair ran a number of threes - with Davies almost lapping the struggling Rees on occaision! But as is the often the way, Davies was smartly taken by the keeper off Ian 2 balls after Rees had been bowled by Ian.
Sadly the remaining batsmen couldn't score at the required 7 an over & once new Captain Sammy Purcell was unluckily given out lbw last orders had been called.
Earlier, the bowlers & fielding had kept Pacific in the game Davies in particular returning to his most economic & Rees picking up 2 wickets including an excellent caught & bowled to dismiss Ozzie taking a steepler back over his shoulder. Nevertheless, Royal Inn's batting lead by Ian (50*) far exceeded their bowling discipline & yet in the conditions the bowling remained good enough - just !
VIII:- Jim Davies, Sammy Purcell*, James Gleadow, Shayne Rees, Peter Hollman, Guy Wiehahn, Rob Bastin+ & Shane Mundie. A Division 2 game tonight on pitch #3
