Early visit to the pub...
Hampstead Heath Extension, 8/21/2010
Strongroom won by 76 runs
Strongroom: 116
London Fields: 40
View the Scorecard
Summer seemed to be over on a cool, grey, windy day stuck out on Hampstead Heath Extension. The ground took a bit of finding, as did the pitch – partly because the wicket was barely distinguishable from the outfield. OK, that’s exaggeration, but this was the grassiest track we have played on for some time.
Skipper Dave P (yes, you read that correctly!) chose to bat and all seemed well with the universe as Jimmy slid the first ball of the match through wide third man for 4. The madness started a couple of balls later as Jimmy played on. Peter and Amit momentarily steadied the ship admirably against the exaggerated movement in the air and off the pitch being extracted from London Fields’ opening bowlers who bowled excellent lines and lengths. Amit then cut one to point and the collapse was off and running. Only two Strongroomers broke the 20 barrier – Sumer on his debut took the risky counter-attack approach, while Dave P played a now characteristically trusty knock to rack up his 27th Strongroom not out.
London Fields seemed pleased, but Strongroom had experienced the devils in the wicket and felt that LF had taken their foot off the gas a little and allowed us to get into the game with a defendable score.
Tea. There wasn’t any.
After non-tea, London Fields were blown away for 40 in just 15 overs. Mike Gabbay and Sumer opened the bowling, took 2 wickets each, and came off after 9 overs with the combined figures of 4 for 6. Hem replaced Mike and bowled a Woolhouse-ian first over (a couple of shockers followed by a shock wicket) and then settled into a nice spell. Amit chipped in with tidy medium pace from the other end.
This was a mad, but fun game. A difficult pitch, some good bowling, bowler-friendly umpiring, and shocking batting. It was all over in less than 41 overs and we were in the pub by about 4pm.
Written By: D.Gower
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