Strongroom end season with win over Pacific
Wray Crescent, Islington, 10/6/2012
Strongroom won by 70 runs
Strongroom: 183-9 [R.Sharma 40]
Pacific: 113 [G.Dixon 5-34]
View the Scorecard
Despite the delightful early autumn sunshine, I really didn't enjoy the beginning of this game. I had to get up early, we had 4 late players that meant we had to bat first when I wanted to bowl, I opened the batting when I didn't want to and was out for 3 when I didn't think I hit it. After that it got much better.
Ricky and Tom H rebuilt superbly, putting on 55 together. Pacific bowled well, tight lines and lengths and a touch of swing, especially the dependable Gleadow. Tom H was bowled by a good yorker but Tom W came in and played a very assured knock (without ever really motoring). Ricky missed out on what would have been a deserved 50, but Sandeep (a generous loan from Pacific) joined Tom W and played an enterprising innings that upped the run rate. We looked like perhaps pushing 180, but then had a blip as Joe and Grant fell both without scoring and Tom W holed out, but Mike and Asif did a great job with a partnership of 21 in just over 2 overs. The outfield was slow and even with a worn and unshinable ball we felt some hope in being able to defend 183 as we went to tea.
In the field we put on one of our very best performances of the season. Good bowling backed up by everyone fielding tightly as a unit and excellent wicketkeeping. The only blemishes were a dropped skier, a missed stumping, and one through the slips. The pacey Tim and and metronomic Mike set the tone with a superb opening burst. They were both unfortunate to go wicketless but restricted Pacific to 23 off the first 11 overs, well behind the rate. Joe came on to change the pace and the first wicket went down to a run out thanks to a sharp piece of work by Mike, and then Joe broke through Chassaud's defence. Both wickets owed something to the pressure built by Tim and Mike. A swift double change saw Asif and Grant paired up and both improved on their good performances from the week before. Asif bowled good corridor deliveries mixed with occasional yorkers while Grant wobbled some, bowled a good line and varied his length well. It was Grant's day in terms of figures as he ended with 5-34. Two good steepling catches, especially Tom H's as he took it on the run over his shoulder. A comfortable vicotory in the end, with 11 overs of Tim, Mike and Joe still in he bank.
This was a big win. Last week's was bigger, but this was a much better display as we barely slipped in intensity in the field. A very satisfying end to the season.
Written By: D.Gower
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