Worth the wet
Toddington Manor, 5/17/2003
Gardeners won by 6 wickets (D/L method)
Strongroom: 155 all out (D.Perks 52)
Gardeners: 112-2
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A rapid start by Rupert and Roddy and a quickfire third-wicket stand by Julian and Pete proved enough to take the Gardeners to an eighth successive victory in a rain-affected match at Toddington.
Set a renegotiated target of 112 to win off 25 overs, after restricting a dangerous-looking Strongroom batting line-up to 155 off 40 with some economical bowling, the Gardeners always looked in control and won with three overs to spare.
Opening against a fielding side likely to struggle with a wet ball, Roddy and Rupert kept ahead of the required rate with some intelligent running, although supporters' urgings to run threes were disappointingly spurned.
Rod perished to a miscued pull and Rupert, having finally passed 11 this season, became one of the day's seven bowled victims, but, with Pete playing his way in at the other end, Julian then provided the acceleration which ensured another rain delay or a late collapse would not matter, hitting seven off his first five balls and putting on 27 in only 3 overs for the third wicket.
Despite the loss of two wickets in quick succession, Ludo and Hugh saw their side home to reward a promising display in the field when the Gardeners encountered their toughest opposition of the season so far. All but one of the seven bowlers proved extremely stingy - Ludo (seven overs for 14) and Ian's niggardly opening spells being backed up impressively by Richard (2-12) and Noel, who bowled four maidens in his eight overs - and even the most expensive, Hugh, still claimed three wickets.
A couple of missed chances, particularly from the hard-hitting opener Perks, whose half-century could have been halted twice, were blemishes, but a solid fielding effort was crowned by Noel's extraordinary reflex catch at slip to close Strongroom's innings.
Written By: Mike Richards (Gardeners captain)
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