A day of two batting collapses
Lustleigh, Devon, 6/8/2014
Strongroom won by 65 runs
Strongroom: 176 [J.Schneider 78]
Lustleigh: 111 [C.Beauchamp 45, G.Dixon 7-19]
View the Scorecard
Heavy overnight rain led us to believe the chances of getting a game in at Lustleigh were very small, and initially we were informed this was the case. However, adopting a generous spirit towards a touring team, they agree to host us, albeit with a very wet part of the outfield roped off. The sun shone brightly for much of the game, and they were also obliging by letting us bat first. Lustleigh play league games on Sundays, so we were used to playing this fixture against a fairly weak XI, but this time they were sporting a much younger looking team, including a few colts.
Strongroom returnee Ol Moore (27) looked in fluent touch, and along with James Schneider (78), this pair batted very sensibly and attractively, putting on 74 for the opening wicket in 15 overs. James looked particularly fluent in this his highest Strongroom innings, and unfurled several rasping, trademark cut shots through point. Grant (23) also batted with freedom, and along with James took the score to 122-1. All was going really well. Or was it? From nowhere, a Strongroom collapse appeared, and we lost 9 wickets for 54 runs, courtesy of indifferent batting and accurate bowling. I didn’t feel great giving Will and Dave P both out lbw in the same over, and overall we were disappointed to register such a total after such a strong start. A couple of the Lustleigh colts bowled very well, but again it was the slower bowlers who caused us the most significant problems.
A really superb tea again laid on by Lustleigh. Devonshire scones, cream and jam in particular was noted and devoured by our ‘grockle’ contingent.
Dave P opened up the bowling with the unlikely pairing of J Gower and Joe Rahman, and whilst steady enough, we never got the early breakthrough we were aiming for. The Lustleigh openers Beauchamp (45) and Manners-Chapman (25) were resolute and determined to make a go at chasing this modest total, and both showed good concentration, putting on 69 for the first wicket in 19 overs. Ol Moore and James Schneider also came and went, but again, we couldn’t get the needed breakthrough. Dave P then tossed the ball to the Grant Dixon. Now Grant always steams in and gives his all, and attacks the stumps, but his first two overs were, to be honest, pretty shoddy. His length was variable, and his line kept straying down the leg-side. A heavy night the previous evening, complemented with a generous dose of cream teas appeared to have scuppered his skills. Just when I was thinking we needed another bowling change, Grant made the first breakthrough by clean bowling Manners-Chapman. Then he clean-bowled the number 3 first ball. Then he clean bowled another three batsmen, and had two caught behind. By attacking the stumps at bail-height, he suddenly got everything right, and ended up with 7-19 off seven overs, surpassing Joe’s 6-16 as Strongroom’s best-ever figures. At one stage, Lustleigh had lost 9 wickets for 13 runs. And that was that really. I seem to recall Adrian ‘dropped’ a catch, fielding at short leg-slip, as Brewer turned and belted the ball directly into his midriff, and I also recall Dave P snared the final wicket - catching it between his legs behind the stumps!
A game of two batting collapses...and we emerged victorious by 65 runs. The moral of the story? The worse Grant starts off a spell, the better he ends it.
Written By: J.Gower
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