Strongroom clinch victory in last-ball thriller
Wray Crescent, Islington, 9/16/2006
Strongroom won by 1 run
Strongroom: 185-5 (J.Gower 77*)
Pacific: 184-8
View the Scorecard
Strongroom made their return visit to the curious Wray Crescent ground in deepest Islington, amidst humid climactic conditions. Simon Ray routed a weaker Pacific team back in May, so a tougher test was expected in this encounter.
Jon Gower won the toss and opted to bat first on a brand-new artificial track. The surface was fast and true, so it was a real blow to be 30-4 after 10 overs with such heavyweights as Woolhouse, Shearer and Claro all back in the hutch. However, there followed a superb partnership of around 80 between J.Gower (77*) and Pete Cannon (37) which kept Strongroom in the game. Both batsmen punished anything loose, and Cannon played a typically inventive wicket-keepers knock with inventive strokes all around the wicket. After Cannon was bowled by a rare Yorker, David Proctor (35*) stepped in and together with Gower this pair took Strongroom to a robust total of 180-5. Proctor rode his luck several times, but it was clearly his day, and he went on to swish and chop his way to yet another unbeaten innings. Gower meanwhile gradually upped his scoring rate, and exhibited his usual range of powerful shots square of the wicket. Pacific had bowled with big heart, but ultimately the surface had favoured the batsmen.
There was something for everyone in the tea, and once wolfed down both teams set out briskly for part two, as the September light would soon be drawing in.
Gabbay and Shearer opened the attack, and between them their combined analysis (14-3-40-1) made pleasant reading. After 10 overs Pacific were 25-0, and Shearer in particular was most unlucky not to claim Faisal’s wicket on several occasions. Bully and Proctor came on as first and second change, but both men struggled to find their rhythm. Gower then made another double-change, introducing the spinners Boote and Jolyon. It was good to see Boote (2-30) back to his probing best as twice he tempted the batsmen into injudicious strokes that brought their downfall, including the dangerous looking Webley for 37. However, after 20 overs Pacific were 100-3, and were now looking the stronger candidates to win. Opening bat Vanderpump appeared ominously calm at the crease and was now scoring with consument ease. Strongroom just had to get this man out! Gower (2-15) and Woolhouse (1-28) bowled the last 10 overs in tandem, and this resulted in three wickets and two crucial run-outs. But most crucial of all, Rich Woolhouse produced a beauty which penetrated the defences of the impressive Vanderump (79), and the metal stumps clanged back noisily much to the whoops of delight of the Strongroom team. Eight to win off 2 overs became four to win off the final over. Woolhouse bowled a superb final over, beating the baton numerous occasions, and with two to win off the final ball the tension could not have been greater. The number 10 swished and missed another out-swinger, and Pete Cannon knocked over the stumps as they scrambled for a single.
Strongroom had held their nerve and produced a hugely satisfying victory in what was simply a great game of cricket.
* Read the Pacific Report of this game *
Written By: Jon Gower
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