Williams and Foster snatch victory from our grasp
Blagdons, New Malden, 5/13/2012
Viscount won by 3 wickets
Strongroom: 191-8 [R.Sharma 41]
Viscount: 195-7 [R.Williams 43*, L.Foster48*]
View the Scorecard
Strongroom vs. Viscount usually results in a tight, competitive match, and this game proved no exception. The game ebbed and flowed throughout, and in the end it was an attritional and stubborn partnership of 98 between Williams and Foster that sealed a much deserved win for Viscount.
Our last 4 games had been cancelled due to the wettest April / May in living memory, so just getting a game in was an advantage. The wicket was covered, and was a good dry surface, which contrasted with a wet and slow outfield. Rishabh and Sumer opened the innings and the scoreboard rattled along to 35 off 5 overs. Sumer slammed a nice 6 over extra cover, but swished at one too many and departed for a brisk 16. Rishahb (41) meanwhile played another calm and composed knock, waiting for the ball and working it into the gaps. Karan struggled a little against the probing line of Young, and his departure was soon followed by Harry Lojhan (harsh LBW), D.Gower and Mellor, which left us wobbling at 100-6. Myself (27) and David Proctor (38*) then started the process of stabilising the innings. DP looked well organised from the start, defending his stumps with a strong defence that clearly benefitted from extensive winter nets. If it wasn’t for his innings, we may well have been skittled out for around 120. As we edged towards 150 with 5 overs to go, a total of 180 was looking reasonable, but myself and Joe were quickly dismissed (Joe fell to an unfortunate run-out). However, Harry Wall (15*) and DP both threw the bat with some zest, and we were pleased to post a total of 190. Not bad for only 10 players. Viscount had bowled pretty well, with Steve Young the pick of their attack, though they were somewhat handicapped by a heavily hungover Tim Morrison who was a shadow of his usual self.
Quality tea as usual – fried chicken, pasta salad, coleslaw, bread, ginger cake etc.
Mellor and Harry Wall opened the bowling, with Harry bowling into a strong wind. Mark picked up an early LBW, but otherwise Viscount kept scoring at a decent rate, with Elcock in particular hitting the ball firmly towards the cover boundary. Harry’s swing finally accounted for Elcock, and he picked up two more wickets, benefiting from a change of end with the wind now behind him. Joe (3-40) bowled well and with some nous, and again picked up wickets against this opposition. David Gower completed a direct-hot run out, benefitting from Karan’s impressive fielding drill after tea, and I surprised most onlookers with a running catch at long-on from a well-drilled hammer-drive off Joe.
At the halfway stage Viscount were 97-7, Strongroom felt the job was virtually done and there were some celebratory comments passed around at the drinks interval. However…no’s 8 and 9 slowly and impressively set about their rebuilding job, with the left-handed Robbie looking particularly well-set. At around 140-7 with 10 overs to go, we sensed that victory might actually be less easy than we had expected. Bowlers were shuffled around, fielders were re-positioned, some thought we should bring fielders in for the single, others felt they should be out to save runs and take catches…but ultimately this pair played really well, and gradually took control of the game. Congratulations to Viscount on a well deserved win! We very much look forwards to taking them on at Highgate in August.
Written By: J.Gower
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