Winning start provides feel-good factor
London Fields, Hackney, 4/26/2009
Strongroom won by 5 wickets
London Fields: 85
Strongroom: 86-5
View the Scorecard
Two Match reports here - the first by J.Gower, the second by Mike Addicott:
J.Gower's report:
Although a week of sunshine had preceded this season-opening fixture, a cursory glance at the green surface prompted me to insert LF into bat upon winning the toss. Strongroom were really up for this game, refreshed both with new recruits [Addicott, Park, Newkirk and Plumbridge] and winter nets at Lords. The scene was well set, with the sun making a welcome appearance and hundreds of Hackney residents positioned around the ground, soaking up the rays and smoking up their BBQs.
Martin Newkirk and Ujjal opened our attack. It was Martin who made the first inroads in an impressive spell that revealed his relentless off-stump accuracy. He also achieved some awkward lift from the Liverpool Street end. The first wicket fell to a stunning slip catch by Ken Park at 2nd slip – I say ‘stunning’ because any slip catch is rare at this level of cricket, but this was impressive in that it was low and wide to his right. Ujjal struggled a little to control the wildly swinging ball, but still managed to breach the defence of no.3 Karl. Martin [6-3-11-3] cleaned up two more batsmen, and LF were clearly wobbling at around 40-4. Myself and Joe came into the attack, and though I managed to snare two scalps caught behind by Proctor, too many short balls were hooked and pulled away across a fast outfield. Joe showed impressive control [8-2-18-1], and bowled better as his spell went on. At around 65-6 LF were clearly in trouble, but still I was waiting for the usual gritty stand that usually appears in such collapses. However, a fine juggling catch by Ujjal, and good spells by Hem Patel and Damien Plumbridge saw LF routed for only 84 in 27 overs. Strongroom had bowled and fielded well, and Proctor had secured 3 catches behind the timbers.
Tea was a resourceful DIY affair, but pleasant nonetheless in the shade of the boundary trees. Chasing small totals is rarely straightforward, and with the ball swinging and rising sharply at one end, I didn’t take this run-chase for granted. Jules and Damien made a steady start to the innings, posting 40 for the 1st wicket. Jules played some nicely timed strokes, but both he and Damien were lbw’d, and a little wobble was in the offing. Steve and Ben S were now bowling for LF, and appeared to be the stronger options in their attack, beating the bat regularly. However, Ken stood firm [22] and kept a cool head in his debut innings, whereas the Gower brothers both registered ducks! With Ken’s dismissal, another 11 runs were needed, and Newkirk and Proctor ensured there were no further hiccups as Strongroom crossed the finishing line after only 19 overs.
This was a great start to the season, just a pity that a match in such good conditions was completed so early. Very pleasing too to see a bevy of new players fit in so well.
Mike Addicott's report:
2009 has started off successfully for Strongroom CC with our first fixture being away to London Fields (LF). Sunday was a beautiful spring afternoon in East London, and with an 11th hour appearance by our captain and vice-captain, the toss was won and Strongroom opted to put LF in to bat. Our fearless skipper clearly saw something in the green tinged pitch which was to set us up for the day.
Opening bowler duties went to new Strongroom blood, Martin Newkirk (Marty or Marto as he prefers) and Ujjal in support. Textbook bowling is how you could describe the opening spell. Marty was sending down absolute rip-snorters to a good line and length which was troubling the batsmen all day. In the 3rd over of the day Marty struck with a beautiful delivery that moved away from the batsmen just enough to take the edge and unexpectedly carry to the sure hands of Ken Park at second slip. Marty continued to trouble the batsmen throughout his 6 over spell and went on to disturb the woodwork of 2 more batsmen with a couple of deliveries just full of a length. Marty was definitely the pick of the bowlers finishing with 3 for 11. Ujjal supported with a three over spell where no two deliveries were the same. It was enough to trouble London Fields' number 3, with Ujjal beating everything to take down his castle. Ujjal's efforts tied the opposition up, and finished with the glowing figures of 1 for 4 from 3 overs. The next bowling pair came in the form of Joe Rafman, and captain extraordinaire Jon Gower. Joe was the only bowler to complete 8 overs. Bowling well all day, Joe just couldn’t nab that elusive wicket. Then, with frustration and anger in his mind, he stormed in for his 8th over, and finally dislodged the stumps to finish with 1 for 18 off 8. Jon chipped in with a respectful 4 over spell. LF had 3 players' top score with 19 and Jon picked up 2 of these wickets, with "Extras" proving a trifle difficult to disturb. Both of Jon's wickets were caught professionally by Strongroom's most experienced gloveman, Dave Proctor. While Jon was the most expensive bowler going for 24 off his 4 overs, the 2 wickets he picked up proved decisive, and exposed the tail for a quick clean up job by Hem and Damien. Hem peppered the batsmen with some vast changes in pace pushing the batsmen to the back foot resulting in a serious run drought from his bowling. A nice short piece of bowling resulted in an edge which beat Mike Addicott in slips; however the fielding gaffe was not too expensive with Hem destroying the castle of LF number 9 a few balls later. A solid performance from Hem finishing with 1 for 8 off 4 overs. Our last bowler into the mix was Damo Plumbridge. Damo picked up 2 terrific wickets, the first putting Ujjal into the spotlight with a diving juggled grab at cover, with the move possibly earning him a place in the gymnastics for London 2012. Some mediocre sledging from Mike Addicott in slips to the LF number 10 may or may not have contributed to Damo's second wicket. A simple "have a lash, batsmen" to a very wide delivery earlier had him swing uncontrollably a few balls later and skied it straight up. The time the ball spent in the air Mike and Proctor had time to converse on who should take the lolly, with the gloves getting the go ahead. A safe take and LF were all out for the paltry score of 84.
A brief interlude between innings was had, before Jules and Damo strolled out to begin the chase. Jules got off to a fantastic start only hitting what could be sent for 4. Damo was the first batsmen to go with LF taking advantage of a soft spot in the pitch, slightly full of a length, and the ball kept low to crash into his pads. A cautious 6 for Damo. Ken was in at first drop, and took time to have a good talk with Damo as they crossed paths to gauge what the bowlers and pitch were doing. And with this on board, Ken went about his business reducing the total effortlessly with every stroke, and two particularly impressive back foot drives through cover for 4. Jules was next to fall, in almost identical fashion to Damo, LF once again making use of the soft pitch. Jules top scored with a solid 28, with only seven scoring shots, obviously all 4's.One can only assume that Jules forgot his antiperspirant and didn’t want to break a sweat with a 22 yard run. Dave Gower was in next and was out next, in what he says was "taking one for the team". In very gallant fashion, Dave saw it a good thing to get the first duck of the season out of the way. And Jon, not to be out done by his brother, followed suit and also ducked. Jon was caught at point, while Dave had his castle shattered. All was not lost however, as there were still plenty of hitters to come, and Ken's eye was adequately in to guide Strongroom CC to victory. Ken was joined by Marto who started cautiously. Ken had a momentary lapse in concentration which was enough to have him bowled with only 11 runs required. A contribution of 22 had Strongroom without doubt, however Ken would have liked to have stayed around and finish the job. Marto was joined by Dave Proctor and thankfully, no further wickets were to fall. There were some over zealous appeals from LF who may have had a glimmer of hope after the wicket of Ken, however nothing was even close to out and Dave and Marto guided Strongroom to a win in our opening match.
Strongroom showed signs of true brilliance with both bat and ball and are happy with the start to the season. And our fielding was of a good standard also, with particular mention going to Jules and his Hollywood-esque dives to save the boundary. While there is always room for improvement, Strongroom played with gusto, flair and passion to come away the victors!!!!!
Written By: J.Gower + M.Addicott
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