Pacific storm wrecks Strongroom
Wray Crescent, Islington, 9/17/2005
Pacific won by 8 wickets
Strongroom: 132 all out
Pacific: 136-2 (K.Rademaker 89*)
View the Scorecard
This was another revived fixture, as these two old foes met again to lock horns, with Strongroom CC having just celebrated 21 years of service, and Pacific CC their 20th.
Wray Crescent was a curious little ground. A hard astroturf track was surrounded by a heavily football-studded outfield, though the boundaries were fairly close. Simon Ray elected to bat first, with autumnal light perhaps posing a threat to chasing a total. However, it was not apparent what a good total would be in these unfamiliar conditions.
Pacific’s opening bowlers Davies and Gleddon, though ambling off shortish run-ups, generated good pace and bounce. R Woolhouse and D Gower reached 17 before Dave was snared at gully, square-cutting Davies a little uppishly. Rich looked in good touch, but fell in a similar fashion to his opening partner, as he cut at a ball which came through quicker than expected. At 26-2 Strongroom were in trouble, two of their most experienced batters back in the hutch. It was clear by now that our batsmen were struggling to come to terms with the fast bouncy surface, in direct contrast to the low and slow carry of their native Highgate Woods’ track. Further victims soon followed, with Englefield and Proctor both caught in the outfield. Strongroom were now reeling at 30-4. A partnership was desperately needed, and S Ray (36) and J Gower (36) responded with a patient 77 runs added in 20 overs. This was tough cricket, as the Pacific bowlers stuck at their task and offered few scoring opportunities. Smith (8-6-3-1) in particular proved an awkward customer, and Grigg saved many runs with his dynamic fielding. While Jon played with caution, Simon batted with more freedom, his innings peppered with several beautifully timed cover-drives as well as a hefty six over deep mid-wicket.
Sadly, Simon and Jon were both dismissed in successive overs leaving the innings in the balance at 115-6. Of the tail only Will Latham (16*) succeeded in breaking free of the shackles, and played some well-timed straight drives to somewhat compensate for Bully’s unfortunate run-out, bringing up a final total of 132 in 39.5 overs. Pacific bowled and fielded well, and their keeper put in a very tidy performance.
A Strongroom-esque, Service Station tea was snorted down in quick time. Strongroom ate lightly, well aware of the big task that lay ahead.
Simon and Rich opened the attack. Simon produced a couple of snorters in his first over, but Rich struggled to settle into a consistent line and length. The Pacific openers survived this initial trade of blows. The relatively small chase total allowed them then to take risks by hitting out, sometimes across the line and in the air, generally for boundaries. Simon rotated his bowlers, searching for an effective combination. Of the pacemen, only Jon’s steady back of a length bowling showed any signs of restricting the run rate. It took the spin of Dave Gower (2-30) to bring Strongroom’s only two scalps, and he had opener Rademaker almost caught three times. Indeed, Rademaker was dropped five times, in an ordinary fielding performance (excepting Bully’s superb catch in the deep), perhaps not helped by the low September sun. The big-hitting opener rode his luck in a brutally effective 89 to take the home side through to victory.
Strongroom had been soundly beaten, their lack of runs on a fast surface proving fatal once Pacific’s batting had survived the opening overs.
Despite the one-sided nature of the game, it included periods of good cricket and some indication that Strongroom could make a better fist of it in future. It was good to square up to Pacific again, and although this was at times a gritty encounter, there was a good spirit between the two teams. We look forward to further encounters in 2006.
* Read the Pacific CC Match Report.
Written By: J & D Gower
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