Rishabh's ton helps Strongroom to early win
Crouch End, 4/14/2012
Strongroom won by 105 runs
Strongroom: 225 [R.Sharma 100]
Crouch End: 120
View the Scorecard
It was that time of year again. Christmas had come and gone, the Carling Cup final a distant memory and England had already lost their first test series of the year. The long awaited first Strongroom CC fixture of the season was upon us. Captain, Joe Rahman, strode purposely out to the middle on a breezy but sunny day, promptly losing the toss and was put into bat on a green, soft wicket. "I would've batted first in any case", Joe reassured the team.
After being put into bat Strongroom lost the early wicket of James Schnieder victim of an unlucky inside edge, walking back to the pavilion without a run to his name. Yours truly joined Rishabh and negotiated the useful opening bowling of Zinzan and Shashi, putting on a solid stand of 83 before I played all round one and was bowled for 26 by Hayes. Hamza followed, in and out quickly after being trapped LBW. Sumer was next in, joining a increasingly confident Rishabh. The pair batted positively and quickly scored a further 76 with some impressive six hitting all round the wicket. Sumer looking focussed on his way to 32. Dave Proctor joined Rishabh and soon after Rishabh completed an enjoyable and impressive 100 before before eventually falling LBW to the ever dangerous Jenkins. A few lusty blows and interesting quick singles later, Strongroom had completed their innings. Courtney Broni taking the most wickets with 3-24, also taking the dubious honour of bowling the most wides in the extras total of 40, Strongroom's (ever reliable) contributor coming in with the second highest score. A first innings total of 225 from the allotted 35 overs.
As ever Crouch End supplied an excellent tea, with the pasta salad receiving a ringing endorsement from vice-captain Proctor.
The home side started out needing a demanding 6.5 runs per over and despite the first ball of the innings being dispatched for 4 by Pfeiffer, in truth they never really challenged the total. The reliable Mike Gabbay and dangerous Hashim, who bowled well without reward in his opening spell, looked a useful opening partnership. Gabbay was at his metronomic best on his way to figures of 7-2-11-2, a genuine handful bowling up the hill as Crouch End struggled to get him away. Dave Proctor taking a superb, sharp chance to his right in the slip to remove a surprised Zinzan. Sumer was being particularly vocal in the field as Strongroom tightened their hold on the game. The bowling side took wickets steadily with only Nicole and Jenkins providing useful resistance with their respective 26 and 31. Wickets were spread around the bowlers with Rahman marshalling his charges in a composed manner. The overs passed quickly and with runs proving hard to come by, Crouch End eventually succumbed for 120 off 33.5 overs.
Written By: J.Hall
|