Strongroom continue late-season burst of form
London Fields, Hackney, 9/29/2012
Strongroom won by 103 runs
Strongroom: 203-9 [W.Davies 53, Chris 41]
London Fields: 90 [J.Rahman 4-18]
View the Scorecard
London Fields generously provided two good players for us - Ruby and Chris - who were also great team mates for the day. LF won the toss and decided to bowl on a soft but even track. We probably would have chosen to bowl first because of concerns about our batting, but in the end we were fortunate to be put in. Mike and Das set up a good platform with a reasonably spritely and solid-ish partnership against the swinging ball. Mike clipped several neat shots off his legs. Dave and Ruby both looked in good touch but both fell to slightly soft shots. The key partnership (about 100?) was between loan player Chris (good running, watchful defence combined with big shots to selected deliveries) and Will (less spectacular running, more muscle, bigger shots). Both were watchful to start with but then opened out with big shots aplenty. There were slices of luck but this was good stuff that set the platform for the win. The importance was demonstrated perhaps by the ensuing collapse and drop in run rate. However, we stayed the 35 over distance and had posted a big total and the pitch was covered in divots. We scored 53 in the first 10 overs, 50 in the second, 72 in the third and 32 in the fourth. Hem hit his first Strongroom 6 and showed some excellent timing and a lovely leave (but shoddy box management).
Our LF loan players alerted us to the fact that LF's line up included several good batsmen in good form. The threat never materialised as LF crumpled to 24-4 and 43-8. We didn't actually bowl that well in the first 8 overs. Asif and Grant mixed up leg- and offside wides with the odd wicket-taking delivery. LF didn't make us pay for the wayward deliveries and found ways of getting out. Though there was some sound catching and some good balls (a Dixon inducker; Asif yorker). Asif's last 3 overs were excellent. Fayaz started with some lovely away drifters but his long period out of the game told later in his spell as some gentle beamers slipped in. Joe was introduced hunting down a record-breaking (his own record) season's haul of wickets. Ruby took a great catch at short cover. At 43-8 Strongroom lost a bit of focus and LF played some better cricket. Lord scampering runs and finding awkward angles, Graham launching well-timed shots aerially into the deep. Hem deservedly picked up a wicket after showing good rhythm. Joe snaffled Graham by bowling a little slower to end the match. We hadn't even had to wheel out the Gabster.
The batting was good. Difficult to assess the effort in the field after the LF collapse. Some of it shoddy (15 wides; some sleepy groundfielding), some of it decent. LF were excellent hosts on their club day and there was some good post-match sport: LF high catches by bicycle; Strongroom left-handed tennisball cricket. It was enjoyable to have a big win on a sunny autumnal day towards the end of an up-and-down season...
Written By: D.Gower
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