10 runs the margin in tight defeat
Turney Rd, Dulwich, 8/14/2011
Jesmond Jaguars won by 10 runs
Jesmond Jaguars: 247-7 [J.Boon 72, J.Shurston-Baker 45*]
Strongroom: 237-8 [D.Proctor 50*]
View the Scorecard
I lost the toss that I really wanted to win, as we had a strong batting line-up – but relatively weak in bowling. The conditions were perfect for cricket, though both teams took a while to get assembled, due to a cycling race clogging up London.
So, James Schneider and Proctor opened up our unconventional pace attack, though no breakthroughs resulted. James got the ball to bounce nicely, and was unlucky not to pick up a couple of wickets from loose slashes that ballooned over the slips (including one sharp chance that went down). Jag’s openers looked to go hard at the ball at every opportunity, and were aided by a rapid outfield, so it was little surprise that they passed 50 without loss in just the 8th over. Fortunately some control arrived with the introduction of Rich [3-33] and Joe [1-38], who bowled 16 successive over’s, and after 23 over’s had jointly evened the game out at 122-4. Rich bowled his best spell for a couple of years, getting the ball to shape away nicely from the right-handers, and all the trademark signs were there suggesting he was ‘back’ (puffed out chest, swearing and rapid walking back to his mark). Rich also passed 100 Strongroom wickets in this game. Joe was steady if unthreatening, but Jag’s kept ticking along nicely due largely to a fine innings of 72 by Boon. It was in the latter stage of the innings that we started to get a little ragged, as myself, Tom and DP all got a bit of tap, though Harry [2-29] looked more convincing with his wily spin. Shurston-Baker [45*] was our main tormentor, ruthlessly ejecting any loose bowling to all parts of the ground. On the positive side, Dave Proctor snared four fine catches, and Bhasvar was excellent behind the stumps. Our fielding was a bit lacklustre. 247 was a good total, but with a strong batting side and a quick outfield we felt quietly confident at tea.
James and Harry got off to a reasonable start, but the ever-probing Eccles eventually did for James, as he felt forwards for one. Harry peeled off some effortlessly stylish square cuts and drives, as he does, but also showed some signs of impatience, and it was unfortunate to see him nick one behind with an uncharacteristically ‘raw’ drive. Eccles was hard to get away, whereas Sugden dropped his length at least 2-3 times an over, which helped keep our score ticking along at a healthy rate. Bhasvar [19] and Tom [21] both got in and out, and at 82-5 off 18 overs our much-vaunted strong batting line-up was more about promise than actual delivery. Myself [32] and Guy [22] then started to counter-attack, putting on 51 for the 6th wicket. Dave P then stormed in and really took the attack to the Jags. He went on to plunder 50* in a brilliantly characteristic display – including his trademark violent hammer-blows through the covers, curious bottom-handed whips through midwicket, and lightning-quick running between the wickets. He had to leave for a while with a damaged hamstring, which saw Chris come and go. Joe [35*], in his 50th Strongroom cap, then proved to be the perfect partner for Dave as we launched our most unlikely assault on the 248 target. From 82-5 we were 164-7 off 30, requiring 84 off the final 10 overs. A glut of boundaries followed from both batsmen, including one delightfully clipped 6 from Joe. 45 of the last 5 overs became 16 of the final over. We nearly did it!
This turned out to be a great game overall, with some sterling individual performances...but when will we end this losing run?!
Written By: J.Gower
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