Strongroom finally show their quality
Regents Park, 5/31/2012
Strongroom won by 7 wickets
Jesmond Jaguars: 148-8 [C.Mounsey 52*]
Strongroom: 152-3 [S.Katariya 50*, J.Schneider 47]
View the Scorecard
Strongroom came back strongly after their humiliating defeat to the Jaguars 5 days previous to this meeting, winning a highly entertaining T20 game at Regents Park in the final over.
Jags were late in arriving at the ground, so Adam and Sumer agreed to allow them to bat first (there were just 5 of them when they started).
Mellor got us off to a sensational start, removing both Chataway brothers for golden ducks. Mat was smartly caught by Rishabh off the first delivery of the match, and Mellor (4-0-10-2) caused real problems with late away-swing on a new, bouncy artificial track, and under heavy, leaden skies. Debutant Charlie Cook (Gaieties transfer) bowled with good pace, if a little short in length, and picked up three wickets. At around 50-7 Jags were in deep trouble, but this team never gives up, and it was no surprise when Shurston-Baker (38) and Mounsey (52*) counter-attacked and led their team to a very respectable 148 off 20 overs. Mounsey in particular pulled with great hand-speed and power. Strongroom bowled and fielded well throughout, with Sumer marshalling the changes nicely.
Sumer (50*) and James (47) both batted brilliantly in posting an opening stand of 108 in 14 overs. Both of them were supremely confident from the get-go - Sumer hit the ball horribly hard, whereas James was more persuasive with his timing and placement. It was a pleasure to umpire the first ten overs, in particular an intense duel between Mounsey and Sumer. James struck three lovely 6’, and was finally out to a good catch on the mid-wicket boundary. Sumer retired for yet another T20 fifty, and is very much the man in-form currently. Rishabh and Karan both entered and departed in quick time, and it was left to myself and Mellor to complete the run-chase with 4 balls to spare.
This was a fantastic come-back from Strongroom, following the mauling over the previous weekend. As always, Jags were hugely competitive, yet very sporting in defeat. We look forwards to our third and deciding encounter in early September.
Written By: J.Gower
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