The Pirates were without one of their openers this week, so Bolty was given the job of partnering Adrian Ridgley against the swinging ball, aided amply by the sea breeze.  The Pambula openers bowled a very tight line, and after 9 overs, the Pirates had scraped together just 18 runs.  If they were hoping for a change of fortune to accompany the change of bowlers, then they were sadly mistaken.  Ridgley was bowled by a hooping inswinger for just 2.  Russ Thompson joined Bolty amid mounting scoreboard pressure.

The partnership began watchfully and the pair accumulated just 4 runs off the next two overs.  But the acceleration began and by drinks the pair had built the score to 1 for 75.  It was a solid platform from which to launch the second half of the innings.  But memories of the capitulation against Wolumla the previous week were still fresh in the tail’s mind.

The scoring accelerated after drinks.  After a chanceless innings, Bolty struck a mighty on-drive for six to bring up his fifty and his forced retirement.  David Moran joined Thompson at the crease, but not for long, as Thompson skied a drive and fell for a well-constructed 38.  It was an innings that included way too many threes, three boundaries and a six.  It was 2 for 113 in the 27th over, still some way from a winning score.

Moran, more known for his hitting, knuckled down to anchor the innings.  Wickets began to tumble around him and 1 for 110 soon turned to 5 for 124.  Captain Sweet hobbled to the centre on a calf torn while fielding the previous week.  In a gritty display, he partnered Moran to take the score to 150 before Moran was bowled for 26 while trying to push the run rate.  It was 6 for 151 with just 4 overs remaining.  Steve Babbidge came in and struck a boundary off his first ball, before falling two balls later.  That brought Hayden “I can’t bat” Lang to the crease.  Sweet soon found himself giving Lang the strike as he bludgeoned 15, including a massive straight six, to have the Pirates finish their innings at 7 for 176.

After the lunch break, Lang partnered Jay Breust with the new ball.  It was a solid but uneventful start by both batsmen and bowlers.  At 0 for 25 off 7 overs, neither were on top.  But a bowling change brought instant results as Russ Thompson followed three dot balls with a nick.  The sharp chance was taken by Sweet, trying to nurse his torn calf at first slip.  It was a wicket maiden and there was expectation in the air.

That expectation had little time to brew as Moran had the other opener caught at mid-on from his very first ball, a fine catch by young Drew Thompson whose eyes never left the ball despite his feet slipping from beneath him.  That started a remarkable over, where Moran took 3 wickets for 0 off his first 4 balls.  Suddenly, Pambula were 4 for 25 and the game was all but over.

It was 4 for 41 at drinks, with Pambula facing the mountainous task of scoring 136 off the second 20 overs to get home.  Two of the Pirates bowlers had to leave early, leading to the rare sight of coach Frank Caruana pulling on the whites to help out in the field.  The Pirates took the opportunity to build some experience in their lesser used bowlers.  Thirteen year old Drew Thompson was thrown the ball immediately after the break and after a nervous start he found his line and length followed by his first wicket in senior cricket.  There was much rejoicing.

Pambula fought doggedly, but after the Moran near-hat-trick they were never going to make the target.  Their innings ended at 8 for 138.  Moran finished with 3 for 5 off 4 overs and Lang showed his consistency with 3 for 26 off 8, despite a dropped catch off the very last ball of the innings.  The Pirates song rang loud in the sheds for the first time this season.

The first division side travelled to Eden for the battle for 4th place.  Sent in to bat, the Pirates were soon in desperate trouble.  Opener and captain, Dean Friskin was out first ball, bowled by an off-cutting Jaffa.  At 3 for 3 and 4 for 20, it was difficult to see a good result.  Thanks to Brendan Connor (24) and Greg Longmire (39 not out) they struggled to 113 before being all out in the 37th over.  Eden reached the target with 3 wickets down in the 35th over.  Eden consolidated 4th place on the ladder while the Pirates slipped to 7th.

Next week sees the first division side at home, taking on ladder leaders Merimbula.  The C grade side travels away to play 3rd placed Kameruka.