The 2 consecutive defeats were cast behind, as Pacific rediscovered winnings ways. In recent years this fixture has developed into a ding-dong but friendly battle with no one side registering consecutive defeats against the other !
UCS OB: 151-9 dec. D Stewart 54*. M Boonaert 8-3-24-3
Pacific: 152-6. J Davies 47*. N Mitchell 13-1-49-4.
A flat if slow pitch meant the bowlers were going to have to work hard - so it is to their great credit that both Marcel Boonaert & Mike Alexander bowled as well as they did. With a tail wind both bowled accurately from the same end, Marcel following Mike's 15 over opening spell as 5 wickets fell from that end. Mike achieved an early breakthrough to dismiss Doran Garfunkel (0) with a fantastic 1st slip catch from Steve Lay. But that was the pick of the catching chance as Pacific put 4 others down followed by 2 crucial ones amongst 4 chances in the Pacific innings. Pacific seemed well in control but regular 1st teamer Dan Steward stepped in with a scintillating 54 not out, batting at no 8 & declaration was made.
The slow outfield meant this was a higher total than it looked. UCS opened with spin & seam, Pacific with Ben Hardisty & Peter Hollman putting on 31 before Hardisty was stumped to the left arm chinaman bowler - Lightman. With Western Province fast bowler Rob Mitchell introduced into the attack, P began to lose wickets regularly as his control & variation proved too much - until Steve Lay (24*) & Jim Davies (47*) came together with the score at 93-7 with 10 overs remaining.
Left hander Jim went onto complete an impressive weekend scoring a brutal 47 off 30 balls including 3 sixes, 1 of which carried into the adjacent ground, more than 100 yards away. Added to his earlier 2-35 bowling into the wind, truly remarkable.
Captain Peter Hollman said, "It's great to bounce back with a win & given I missed both defeats, I am very pleased & proud that the side is back on the winning trail". Meanwhile UCS Captain Nick Ward, gracious in defeat, said "see you in Oxford", looking forward to a reverse in fortunes when the 2 sides meet again in August in the trophy game.
Ahead of Washington, with several key players away & / or injured incl. Marcel Boonaert who bowled through the pain barrier within shin splints, sore Achilles & back, there will be a mixture of new & old for the Washington fixture next Sunday.
Pacific: P Hollman*, B Hardisty, D Murray, S Lay, C Jones, J Hardisty, L Yates+, J Davies, I Lay, M Alexander, M Boonaert.
