Well it was. Literally. But more of that later. Pacific arrived back in Oxford for the weekender tour on the back of some mixed form but a solid looking line up would give the Captain Steve Lay a headache as to how to accommodate all his batters. At least, it would, if we wasn't still on the A40. Jon Webley stood nobly in, won the the toss & agreed to a 40 over match.
Good form, luck & some frankly disappointing ground fielding & dropped catches enabled batters such as Adrian Duthie, David Murray, Sammy Purcell, Guy Wiehahn & Jon Webley to all capitalise with useful contributions.
Opening bowler Keith Whiter was particularly unlucky to see 4 catches dropped & some more tardy overthrows to darken his mood which was to darken still further when he was run out when opening the batting a couple of hours later.
As it turned out despite no half centuries, a useful total of 224 was posted & Shane Mundie bowling a superb spell of left arm seam with guile & bounce &pace variation constantly had the batters hopping & groping. Darryl Roberts who is still seeking his best form was replaced by Kurt Rademaker & Jon Webley who continued to make life difficult. Captain & best batter Olly Walter finally lost patience as the asking arte climbed & his dismissal at 64-4 was the cue for the collapse. Olly admitted later that the quality of the change bowling was such that he felt he had no option but he had played the bowling well until a Webley inswinger went through the gate.
Hollman & Murray gave the lower order some gentle spin but this was declined & each picked up a wicket & now sit uncomfortably at the pinnacle of the bowling averages.
It had been a slow game & probably most notable for the theft from the changing rooms of cash from 6 players' wallets to dampen spirits. Injuries & disruptions ensured it was a longer match than it would otherwise be , so most players were not too unhappy that the Isis innings capitulated.
No doubt it will be a stronger Isis XI in 2007 that will confront the men from Islington.
