Strongroom dig deep to uproot Gardeners
Highgate Woods, 8/5/2006
Strongroom won by 6 wickets
Gardeners: 166 all out (W.Clayton 50)
Strongroom: 167-4 (R.Woolhouse 45, J.Claro 51*)
View the Scorecard
Strongroom entered this match determined to halt a dismal run of performances, and sure enough their 6-wicket victory over Gardeners was as convincing as it was significant.
David Gower elected to bowl first on a frail looking surface, and veteran swingers Orme and Woolhouse stuck to their disciplines well, deceiving the Gardeners openers frequently with lateral movement on or around off-stump. The initial brekthrough resulted from a D.Gower/Woolhouse run out as concerted pressure from Woolhouse created some desperation to sneak a quick single; it was the steady Woodhouse who paid the price for his partners indecision. This brought Lal to the crease, a ringer apparently, yet his impatience to force the pace soon accounted for his own downfall as Woolhouse breached his stumps courtesy of an inside edge. At 42-3 Gardeners needed to consolidate their innings, and W.Clayton (50) and Hunter-Tilney (38) set about the task with good application. Proctor, Morris and the Gower brothers were all given spells with the ball, yet it was the pace bowlers who flourished as the older ball began to grip and bounce alarmingly off the powder-puff surface. J.Gower and Morris picked up two wickets apiece, and Proctor (3-29) mopped up the tail, bowling a tight line and making the batsmen play every ball.
The Gardeners tail failed to wag, and they were dismissed inside their 40 overs for 166. Strongroom had stuck to the basic well, bowling a healthy line and fielding with enthusiasm. However, the dusty track was misbehaving and certainly inserted a measure of doubt into the minds of the Strongroom batsmen as they queued for tea.
Tea Report: 8 ½ / 10 Rich Woolhouse’s mother laid on an excellent spread, and her matriarchal presence caused the forming of a queue; a sight I have never seen at Highgate Woods. Well constructed sandwiches (traditional fillings - salmon, egg, ham) were ably supported by meat pie, scones and a range of fruit. Good job Mrs Woolhouse.
Openers Tim Francis (31) and Woolhouse (45) got the innings off to a tremendous start, posting a stand of 70 in 14 overs. Francis, a rare Strongroom left-hander, appeared accomplished at the crease and revealed some delicate leg-flicks and forceful cover-drives in what was a fine innings. Both batsmen made the most of the regular bounce of the new ball, though Woolhouse was particularly severe on Lal, whom he hammered for 19 off his first over. As the ball wore, the grip and uneven bounce returned to haunt the batsmen, and at 102-2 off 20 overs Gardeners knew they were still in the game. Clayton in particular made life difficult, but again no.3 James Claro (51*) continued his great form of recent weeks. Always circumspect in playing himself in, James was quick to punish anything over-pitched, twice dispatching lal over his head for 6. By now the pitch was really snorting, and Morris and Philipps were both removed by the fired-up Harrison, but Strongroom finally crossed the line with 6 wickets intact, amidst clouds of dust and high-tension.
This victory represented a good return to form for Strongroom. Most pleasing was their bowling to their field, something which has been sadly lacking of late.
Written By: Jon Gower
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