Wounded Jaguars lash out in Sensational Victory
Highgate Woods, 8/20/2005
Jesmond Jaguars won by 1 wicket
Strongroom: 173-9 (J.Gower 58)
Jesmond Jaguars: 174-9 (C.Mounsey 42*)
View the Scorecard
Panthera Onca, commonly known as the Jaguar, is an immensely powerful predator which normally hunts its prey at night. However, in this particular encounter, Strongroom were treated to a vicious mauling in broad daylight by a pair of cornered, snarling big cats. Chasing down a target of 174, Strongroom had as good as won this match with the Jaguars on the ropes at 100-9 off 25 overs. We could almost taste the celebratory lager and crisps. But the last two Jaguars refused to be tamed, and some 70 runs later eventually hit the winning runs off the penultimate ball amidst jubilant scenes. It was a stunning and outrageous turn-around.
Earlier in the afternoon Skipper Ray elected to bat first on a typical 'pudding' track, resulting from heavy rain the previous day. R Woolhouse and C Englefield soon realised we had some serious opposition as both Eccles and M-T got the new ball whistling around their shoulders, and achieved good carry through to the keeper. Rich nudged one behind off M-T and J Gower stepped in to partner Chris. Chris was literally bogged down at one end, and eventually Chataway got him with a classic 'pudding ball'. Jon Gower (58), whilst playing and missing with regularity, also punished balls off a good length and started to build a useful innings. J Morris and M Mellor, two batting 'Big Guns', were both snared off decent deliveries and Strongroom were wavering at 96-4, in search of a 200+ total. Gower completed his half-century before falling to another catch off a pull shot. 120-5, and with match evenly poised, Simon Ray (29) and David Proctor (10) put on a crucial 34 runs for the 6th wicket. More useful contributions from Cannon, Baddeley and Boote saw Strongroom to a final total of 173-9 off 40 overs. In normal August conditions a total of 220 would have been around par, so in theory 50 runs were effectively lost due to surface 'stodginess'.
Tea Report: 5/10. Messrs Englefield & Morris provided a respectable range of sandwiches and cakes, but again points were lost for it all being shop-bought. Will anyone step up to the home-made challenge?
On a track with variable bounce and pace, Strongroom knew they just had to keep it simple and 'let the surface do the work'. Ray and Gabbay took the new cherry, but a left-hand right-hand batting combination added an element of frustration. The hustling pace of Morris secured the first breakthrough, and then Simon made the inspirational move of bringing on the spin of 'The President'. Richard Boote (6-0-30-3) made an instant impact, clean bowling two batsman with the third smartly stumped by Pete, and bowled with genuine guile. Mark Mellor (5.5-2-14-2) bowled a great spell from the 'Shed End', and was equally matched by a resurgent Rich Woolhouse (4-2-5-2). Simon wrung further bowling changes (Proctor and J Gower), and the wickets fell steadily. At 100-9 Strongroom were 95% there, but no's 10 and 11 (Eccles and M-T) gradually grew in confidence. With around 50 required off 5 overs, M-T launched a brutal counter-attack, hoisting several hefty sixes over long-on. Nerves started to appear in the Strongroom fielding as the Jaguars camp grew in noisy self-belief. Ray and Mellor bowled with great character, but with 7 required off the final over, the momentum was very much with the big cats, and a scampered single off the penultimate ball secured a brilliant victory. Skipper Ray captained excellently in this game, maintaining intelligent field settings throughout and several smart bowling changes. Strongroom did little wrong, apart from perhaps collectively thinking the game was over with nine down - but then who wouldn't? Moreover, the Jaguars reaped the rewards of courageous and audacious batting by Eccles (33*) and M-T (42*).
After several easy games, Strongroom finally got the stronger opposition they yearned for, and hopefully these two can square up again in 2006.
Written By: J Gower
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