The 4s Pacify The Oppo

On a sunny spring afternoon the 2nd warm up game for the mighty 4s started with an incredible feat by skipper 'Pistol Pete'. He won the toss! As pigs were seen flying over the changing rooms Gaurav and Richard Verity strolled confidently to the AstroTurf crease. A rapid fire start saw the 'G man' find his spots around the ground and the midd were 10 overs in for 60 without loss. Then disaster struck as the venerable verity fell to a nick behind (26 off 35) and Gaurav lost sight of a straight one to the red brick sight screen (32 off 30). With two new batsmen at the crease in Carl 'brown suede shoes' Steward and the veteran Mr Nichol the run rate slowed as they established themselves. Sadly Rich fell to the old tactic of chucking pies with men on the leg side boundary (9 off 23) and new batsmen Arj missed a straight one (4 off 10) to leave the match precariously balanced at 100 for 4 off 20 overs. After the much needed drinks break, Steward was accompanied by Captain Pistol in a rather fetching straw hat. Needless to say Pistol came out guns blazing and with the help of some boundaries from Steward the 4s were back on track. After a costume change to a bandana, Pete bowed out by deciding to run away from a short one whilst simultaneously guiding it slowly on to his stumps (19 off 15). In came the in-form Dave who immediately starting cutting the short ball to the boundary. Steward brought up his 50 in style with an out the ground 6 to long on, but was out shortly later spooning one to cover (65 off 58). A mini collapse ensued with Glazebrook (0 off 1)and 'The Saint' (0 off 2) both out cheaply leaving a total of 200 for 8 with only the wicket of Dave or Alex left. A worthy last wicket stand pushed the score up to 237 off 40 overs with Dave ending on (38* off 44) and Alex (17 off 22).

After a surprisingly fantastic tea consisting of a delicious eton mess amongst other things the 4s were ready for action. Pistol and Alex started lively, pinning back Pacific's opening pair to very few runs and they quickly fell behind the run rate. Pressure began to mount as Pacific's batsmen had to play shots and wickets started to fall. G was the first to break the deadlock putting the opener out of his misery as he had struggled to get bat on ball. A few minutes later Glaze was in on the act with Arj holding a difficult skyer. From that point on, it was an uphill task for Pacific with the run rate steadily increasing and the wickets consistently falling with G bowling a tidy spell of (8 overs 3 for 27). The hosts were 89 for 5 at the half way point needing 7.5 an over. Pacific last hopes rested in their 2 big hitters but luckily they did not get going and Pacific drifted to a inevitable defeat ending on 187 for 9 off their 40 overs. Highlights included a first ball wicket for Verity (4 overs 1 for 11), a smart caught and bowled for glaze (8 overs 3 for 35) and a calm catch by verity on the boundary off Arj (5 overs 1 for 39). A team effort all round with Pete (7 overs 0 for 21) and Alex (8 overs 0 for 39) and a thoroughly enjoyable game, now for the grudge match against the 'filthy threes'!!!