For this game Pacific were one short (as were the opposition) after a late drop out by Ollie Haill. It was a warm and mostly sunny day. The skipper, Davies, lost the toss and we were made to field (as the skipper would have had us do anyway).
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Roberts and Long opened the bowling and induced many play-and-miss shots but on the small boundaries of Broxbourne’s second pitch the runs flowed. Long bowled Hazan (who never looked comfortable against his pace) and then Asif lobbed Long to Vanderpump at mid-off.
 The on fire Atkin replaced Roberts and soon gained a wicket through a mistimed drive lobbying to the active Vanderpump. However, Latham and Pfeiffer stayed in despite a lack of timing on an increasingly variable pitch. Holliday was having a tough time keeping wicket as the bounce was low and extras soon mounted (wides and byes).Â
Gleadow and Brown were introduced and soon picked up wickets (Brown bowled Latham, 60, with a beauty of a ball) and the runs dried up in the face of tight bowling on a low bounce pitch. Dangerman Mishra had relegated himself to no. 8 and scratched around when he came in but Webley dropped him off Gleadow. Mishra then smashed a huge six down the ground next ball and just as he seemed to be clicking, Roberts bowled him first ball on returning to the attack (having had no time to warm up due to the skipper’s poor planning or, as he claimed, inspired captaincy!).Â
The skipper replaced Gleadow at the other end and wrapped up the innings for 149 by "doing a Webley" removing the two bunnies at the end.
The tea was a good tea.Â
Pacific started their reply speedily as Left hander Vanderpump asserted himself with some lovely shots. His opening partner Holliday fell to a poor shot attempting to pull on a low track and playing on as a consequence.Â
Fellow Upper Hollowayians Vanderpump and Webley put Pacific in command as the Black Rose soon started arguing with each other - especially when the keeper shelled a simple chance from Vanderpump! Webley deposited their lob bowler not only over the boundary but over the River Lea as well with one shot. Soon after he tempted the fielders by skying one but three fielders, any of whom could have caught it, failed to take responsibility and it landed safely. Webley made a fine 43 before falling to his nemesis, Mishra, who has now removed him four times in four games.Â
Simon Smith made a career best 4 before being bowled. Vanderpump made 56 at a very good rate in his classical style before being bowled off his pads. Long (26*) and Davies eased us home with five wickets to spare.
Honest Man about Town Tim said afterwards " I think I've been credited with 4 too many runs on the scorecard for yesterday. I got 56 off 60 balls, rather than 60 off 60. Much as I should have got at least 60, and been not out at the end (rather than bowled leaving a ball which hit my inside thigh and rolled down onto the stumps), I'd feel a bit of a fraudster not to point this out! "
It was a good game and Pacific, having reclaimed the honour, were deserved winners. All the bowlers bowled well and were among the wickets. Webley, Vanderpump and Long batted very well and made light of a difficult pitch. Atkin packed the kit bag having arrived late blaming a fire on a train ahead of his train.
