Strongroom fall short in Tooting run-chase
Fishponds, Tooting, 8/12/2006
Caribbean Mix won by 27 runs
Caribbean Mix: 191 all out (Zak 47, O.Moore 4-35)
Strongroom: 165-8
View the Scorecard
A large, barren outfield and a green track greeted Strongroom at the Fishponds Playing Fields in Upper Tooting. In cool, cloudy conditions, skipper David Gower inserted Caribbean Mix to bat first. However, after just 5 overs they were 51-0, as the left-handed Joano ticked into some sloppy servings from Proctor and Woolhouse. An hour in the pub had done little to improve their accuracy, and somehow the brakes needed to be applied. A double bowling change brought immediate results as Oliver Moore’s medium pace removed both openers, and removed Mark with a classic 4-card trick (3 wides, then caught behind). Oliver also accounted for the rampaging Tim, who had already wrecked a poorly J.Gower’s figures with some audacious hitting off middle stump. Moore was subsequently partnered with his colleague Tim Francis, and his hustling out-swing bagged three victims for his team, including the dangerous Toney for just 3 runs. The dimunitive Zak top-scored with a cheeky 47; a curious innings full of unorthodox swipes across the line - but he confidently backed his eye, like many of his team-mates. Dave Gower claimed a victim with some throughtful off-spin, and Proctor returned to complete the innings, but it was our architects Oliver (4-35) and Tim (3-29) who showed up their more experienced team-mates with their steady line-and-length. Strongroom were relieved to limit Caribbean Mix to 191 all out off 29 overs, as at the halfway stage a total of 275 looked achievable.
A fine tea of rice and chicken was eaten in the shed. Although the wicket had proved uneven in bounce, the fast outfield gave Strongroom plenty of cause for optimism in assessing this run-chase.
Francis (33) and Englefield (18) showed great composure and skill in negotiating the new-ball examination of Tim and Mark. Both bowlers probed the right areas repeatedly, but after 10 overs Strongroom were 32-0 and all appeared calm. Francis neatly clipped anything stray for one’s and two’s, and this pair were just starting to frustrate Caribbean Mix when Chris was tightly run-out scampering for a quick single. D.Gower and J.Claro both looked in good touch, but were each victims of the wily Michael, and Strongroom were suddenly in a tight spot. J.Gower (19) plundered some meaty boundaries, and the innings was again gaining momentum when Francis and Gower were both out in quick succession trying to force the pace. Rich W sealed a disappointing day, by his usual high standards, as he was bowled pulling across the line. The run-chase though was still-on, if looking increasingly unlikely as each over passed. There was some spirited resistance from Proctor (26*), who passed 500 runs for Strongroom, and demonstrated some good shot-selection against accurate bowling (especially the shrewd Toney). Cannon (14) and Moore (10) also showed some fight, but Strongroom were always behind the game, and ultimately fell 27 short in the 35th over.
This was a disappointing return performance against a team who batted with raw aggression and bowled tight lines. Strongroom improved as the game progressed, but ultimately the stronger team got the result they deserved.
Written By: Jon Gower
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