Playing Masiha for the 2nd time in 24 hours, but this time to qualify for the Cup; it was crunch time. Chandler with bible and worry-beads in hand, proceeded to win the toss again. The magical three letter words left his lips, and he and Allum galloped off to a quick start. However, a cluster of early wickets left Pacfic on 34-4 when Chandler departed. Great stuff if you don't play for Pacific, but hairy stuff if you do. Especially hairy if you are ever unlucky enough to be batting with Long. Always a quicky single to the bowler.... mmmmm. Fortunately, two northerners put on their life-saving gear and got Pacific to a very defendable 143. Long's second 50 in 24 hours, proved that middle-order nurdling and hittting-out works treats. The tail wagged with Charles proving worthy company for Long, and thus Masiha needed 144 to win.
With fielders on the boundary, 144 seemed a long way away, however Chandler's first ball went for 6. Well you have to laugh when that happens, and so 2 balls later he pinned Ansum right in front to get his revenge. The burly Janaid proved an unlikely reincarnation of Errol Flynn as played and missed at most balls, a plan B never on the cards for Masiha. The ever-masterful Webley picked up 2 cheap wickets, and with some solid fielding Pacific were always on top. 3 catches did go down on the night however one was a screamer to cover, and the other 2 came down with snow on top, so really lady luck was playing for Masiha. With confusion as to how many balls were left in the last over, Allum compared the victory to the confused moment of England's 2005 Ashes.
A long way to go in the Cup, but Pacific can take a lot from a game where tactics are everything, and they are improving with every game. The bowling proved unlucky as Masiha hit across the line all night. Let's hope that Pacific can cross this hairy Cup's line at the end of the Summer... VIII:- Conrad Chandler*, Adam Long, Jon Webley, Rob Allum, Richard Blench, Steve Emmins+, Paul Charles & richard Gaffin. Stat corner. Preliminary Round. Pitch 2. Can you believe it ? Of 33 teams we were 1 of 2 drawn out to play this match. Compounded by the odds of this happening is that it's against Masiha whom we play in the league the night before !
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