Hem's final over jitters nearly secure defeat!
Harberton, Devon, 8/6/2019
Strongroom won by 1 run
Strongroom: 109 [V.Venkateshan 41]
Harberton: 108-6 [D.Gower 40*]
View the Scorecard
Crazy weather throughout the match - heavy grey clouds, blue sky, rolling on and off dartmoor on a westerly wind. Grant had limited sleep due to a rusty cock (weather vane!) on the top of the pavillion (he slept in the away changing room floor, directly beneath rusty cock). We cobbled a 9-a-side match thanks to some Harberton ‘all-stars’ (ie oldies), and the Gower bros were donated to Harbeton, courtesy of their South Hams heritage.
Youthful Ben Hartridge was named as Hartberton captain. Jon G snared Grant with a sharp lifter that was snaffled by keeper Ben. Jon Seager was drafted out of early retirement and bowled very well, returning figures of 4-15. Vinay finally found some form and flashed a quick 42, before I caught him running in off the long-off boundary! Then there was lots more rain and we were on and off several times. It was also very windy. Strongroom were finally bowled out for 109 off 26 overs.
A truly massive tea, thanks again to the imagination and effort of David Proctor, including smoked salmon, philadelphia, lemon juice and red wine.
In Harberton’s run chase, David Gower played a superb unbeaten, classic openers knock (40*). David Proctor bowled well and picked up three wickets, and Joe was very accurate and hard to get away. Noah played well for 20, and the match was evenly poised, then suddenly Harberton needed 12 off the final over. Proctor tossed the ball to new-dad Hem Patel. Nerves got to Hem, as he dished out a few wides, and Ben Hartridge’s dad nearly became an instant hero as he lifted a very-near-6 to the square leg boundary. It missed winning the game by just six inches (it just clipped the batsman’s leg). Great game!
Written By: J.Gower
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