Strongroom topple Rose & Crown
Walthamstow, 8/13/2005
Strongroom won by 104 runs
Strongroom: 214-6 (R.Woolhouse 61, J.Gower 57)
Rose & Crown: 110 all out (M.Gabbay 4-30)
View the Scorecard
A miserable, relentless drizzle, carried by a stiff westerly breeze, dominated this match for the duration of the entire afternoon. Coupled with the general wasteland setting of a Walthamstow tundra and complemented by a generous smattering of goose turds and feathers across the outfield, and one was left with the exact opposite of our Highgate Woods idyll. But experiences such as these test the mettle of a club cricketer, and in doing so provide their own unique challenges.
Skipper Ray did not hesitate in electing to bat first upon winning the toss. R.Woolhouse (61) and J.Beattie (12) put on 76 for the first wicket, with Rich dominating the partnership in another typically cavalier innings. His innings took advantage of a quick outfield with characteristic late cuts, rifle-shot drives and biffs through mid-wicket. J.Gower (57) started timidly, but after the break for heavy rain unleashed a flurry of savage strokes all around the wicket, as he plundered the opposition attack. He was well supported by Morris (19), Proctor (11) and debutant Mark Pickering (12), who all looked comfortable at the crease. Simon Ray (25) obliged with another stylish cameo, and in doing so passed 1,000 career runs. Boote and Cannon were at the crease together when Strongroom reached their final total of 214-6, with all batsmen contributing to this fine score.
Rose & Crowns’ openers saw off the initial overs of pace from Ray and Morris with some discomfort, picking up leg glances here and there but looking less robust on off-stump. It took a deviously slower ball from Morris to scatter the stumps of Dan H, and Strongroom immediately sensed an opening. A smart Gower-Cannon run out was soon followed with another scalp for the aggressive Morris, and R & C were reeling at 21-3. Gabbay and Boote were wheeled into the attack, and though Boote was unlucky with a few half-chances going amiss, Gabbay’s metronomic accuracy yielded immediate results. His figures of 7-0-30-4 reflected the quality of his probing line, and whilst Matt and Micky batted stoicly for R & C, their batsmen were always well below the required run rate and struggled to dominate the bowling. Ray (1-15) and Proctor (1-14) mopped up the tail, for a final total of 110. Strongroom again looked a well drilled outfit, their intense bowling backed up by sharp outfielding.
This trip to a wet and windy Walthamstow had been well worth it, as Strongroom recorded their seventh consecutive victory.
Written By: J Gower
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