Strongroom return to winning ways.
Highgate Woods, 7/8/2006
Strongroom won by 125 runs
Strongroom: 216-5 (J.Morris 55, Bully 50*)
Balham: 91 all out
View the Scorecard
With Simon Ray and both the Gower brothers absent, skippering duties were handed to James Morris for this new fixture. Balham however struggled, managing to field only 9 players, blaming hangovers and tube problems.
Strongroom drafted in Rich Woolhouse’s old boss Andrew and despite try to run him out, forged a tidy 38 run partnership for the first wicket. Woolhouse departed for 15 edging a wide one to slip. James Morris batted at no.3 and he made yet another half century before getting bowled by Richardson whose drifting in-swingers had to be watched all the way onto the bat. Andrew batted out till the 16th over but 2nd change bowler Khorsitt bowled him for 23 – a steady, uncomplicated innings. He made way for Luke who played out for 24 till hitting out and getting caught.
The Strongroom wicket was unusually dry and gave a little bit of bounce and Guy Wilson hit 8 before getting bowled by Richardson, who would end up with 3 wickets. Khorsitt was unable to oust a resolute looking Jolyon who defended intently and picked up runs off the bad balls, in a style reminiscent of the 42 n.o he hit exactly a year ago to scrape a home victory over LBS.
At the other end, Bully was making similar progress but accelerated with 3 overs to go, hitting Weaver for a straight 6 past his head, cutting any loose deliveries through cover for 4 and suddenly a 175 target became 215. On 36n.o, he hit the last 3 balls of the innings for 4, 4 and a huge slug over deep mid-wicket from the final ball cleared the longest boundary with ease bringing up his maiden 50.
Tea report: 7/10. Deli-bought (?) cheese and tomato, ham salad sandwiches with exceptionally crusty rolls were complimented by a fine array of mini-bhaji’s, sausage rolls and scotch eggs. Poncey crisps, but the Satsuma’s went – a particular mention for the bottled water an essential but often neglected part of the modern game.
This fixture also saw the welcome return of Andy Orme, fresh from his training down under who took the new ball. With Mike Gabbay bowling with resilient accuracy at the other end, Balham were under pressure from the start. They needed a good start but it failed to materialise, James Morris held onto a full toss at mid-off and the useful looking Weaver was back in the hutch. Orme bowled Sharp for 1 – an audacious off cutter that Luke claimed was the best ball he’d ever seen. The first 4 wickets went for 17, only Richardson offering resistance with 31. Gabbay claimed 3 for 12 runs off 7, Orme conceded just 6 for his wicket. Jolyon contributed again with 2 wickets, as did a pumped up Woolhouse.
The game was over by 6.45 Balham all out for 86. This was a tasty blend of Strongroom old and Strongroom new that turned up and delivered the goods. Valuable batting contributions were made from start to finish and the tight bowling/fielding proving too much for a good spirited Balham side although it was nice to see Balham batsmen offering to walk in a good tempered game, and we welcome a return fixture where the Balham ‘key men’ will be available.
Written By: C.Willcock
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