Strongroom bury Corona CC by 99 runs.
Highgate Woods, 8/21/2004
Strongroom won by 99 runs
Strongroom: 172-6 (D.Gower 55)
Corona: 73 all out
View the Scorecard
Simon Ray made the brave decision to bat first on a squidgy track, emboldened perhaps by a hefty Strongroom batting line-up and belief that the wicket would get chewed up by whoever used it first. D Gower and R Woolhouse showed why they are now automatically the first two names on the sheet, with a typically steady opening partnership against some accurate seam bowling. Richard delivered some customary rifle-shot cover drives, before eventually falling lbw to a slower ball. It proved to be a 'Dave Gower wicket', which required the grubbing out of 'dirty runs', and indeed he delivered a superb 55, accumulating one's and two's with trademark cuts, pushes and deflections. Shah mirrored Dave's workmanlike approach, and these two posted up an invaluable 73 run partnership full of impudent running. J Gower, Mellor and Simon all fell going for Flintoff-shots, and David Proctor brought a touch of camp flambuoyance to the end of the innings, as he minced out in a salmon pink shirt to swish unproductively at the final ball. Corona bowled well enough, but their field settings and fielding were stretched by Strongroom's generally good running between the wickets.
TEA REPORT: Two differing views from the Gowers on Dave Proctor's effort:
“The best tea of 2004, consisting of ham, cheese and egg rolls, samosas and topped off with some delightful Portugese custard tarts.”
J Gower (9/10)
“A quality but showy spread that disappointed in the lack of that home-made touch and a deficiency of drinks.”
D Gower (7/10)
An excellent opening spell by JB and Mellor posed some serious questions to the Corona top order, who did not adapt themselves well to the stodgy track. They were soon in real trouble as Strongroom's total began to look better and better. JB removed both openers, as they slapped shorter deliveries straight down Proctor's throat at square leg. The second catch was undoubtedly ‘catch of the season’, as he dived late and high to his right to pluck it one-handed in an astonishing reflex reaction. J Gower chipped in with another two wickets, including another one-handed catch. Bully had trouble finding a line on the stumps, but at the other end Proctor mopped up more wickets with his much-improved bowling, to further extend his leading tally of scalps for 2004. Shah also bowled well with excellent changes of pace. Only one Coorna batsman made it to double figures - their smallest and youngest player putting aside some Woolhouse sledging in showing his top order how they might have done better. Steve put in a combative and effective, if occasionally eccentic, display behind the stumps. Simon delivered the final rites with a deadly Yorker. Only a couple of dropped catches and the usual wides blemished the effort in the field. Overall, this was a fine all-round display by a well skippered and confident team.
Written By: Brothers Gower
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