Woolhouse century sets up crushing victory for new look Strongroom
Highgate Woods, 5/28/2005
Strongroom won by 166 runs
Strongroom: 238-4 (R.Woolhouse 118*, J.Armit 42)
Churchill: 72 all out
View the Scorecard
Ten-man Strongroom were without "many regular players and handed out debuts to two newcomers on this bank holiday weekend fixture. Stand-in skipper Dave G chose to bat even though this delayed the start of the game while stray Churchillians found their way to a dry, relatively firm Highgate pitch. The batsmen responded superbly by mounting a massive total at nearly 7 runs an over. The highlight was a magnificent undefeated century (his first) by Rich Woolhouse. This included a thumping fourth wicket stand of 109 with Jerome, the majority of which was made with Shah acting as a runner for Rich, as he tweaked something in the leg. Rich is now no stranger to having a runner, to the point that it’s becoming suspiscious… Anyway, it seemed to help Rich to his century, by keeping him fresh, allowing him to amble around, and simplifying his shot selection. A couple of minor blemishes didn’t prevent him from cruising to his ton, breezing through the nineties apparently without nerves. Jerome fell after a classy contribution and then swapped running duties with Shah who was able to showcase his talents with some quality boundary hitting at the end of the innings. Special mention also to Bully for steadying the ship at 28-2 with some solid front-foot play. Churchill didn’t bowl terribly, but lacked a wicket taker to back up the particularly tidy efforts of opener Graham.
Strongroom took the field with confidence after tea, and opening bowlers Mike G and Jolyon were soon exerting pressure with full, accurate bowling of contrasting pace. After an opening partnership of 31 in ten overs the top order was effectively ripped out by President Boote, in his first Strongroom appearance in far too long. He picked up three wickets in five overs of probing slow bowling, as well as effecting a remarkable, measured, pinpoint, crafty run out from second slip as the Churchill number 3 drifted out of his crease. Jerome came on for a burst of aggressive overs to demonstrate that the pressure was not to be let up. The game was finally mopped up by the latest of Shah’s young bowling protégés, Ollie, who marked his first and third balls of his Strongroom career with the last two wickets. The bowlers were backed up by four decent catches, and Churchill survived just over 23 overs, 5 of which were maidens. Stand-in keepers Chats and Bully put in good performances behind the sticks.
The game was subject to a series of curious delays, with a start closer to 3 pm than 2.30 pm due to late arrivals, and exacerbated by injuries to batsmen and spectators, and changes of balls and wicket keepers. Only Strongroom’s incisive effort in the field allowed a close to the game by 7pm.
Written By: D Gower
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