The boy Jones takes the game away from East Prawle
The Tucker Oval, East Prawle, Devon, 9/19/2020
Strongroom won by 58 runs
Strongroom: 220-7 [G.Jones 124*]
East Prawle: 162 [S.Canning 49]
View the Scorecard
East Prawle is at the end of a sequence of long and bendy Devonshire lanes, and is a somewhat intriguing and remote coastal village. The cricket ground is a rugged sight, positioned among farm outbuildings, and suitably windy, as the bent and stunted oak trees in the hedgerow testify. The makeshift scorers shed, with vintage sofas, completed the authentic scene.
Charlie, the opposition skipper, suggested a 35-over match where 10 bowlers bowl three overs each, and any mix of bowlers complete the final five. This was a new format for us, but I liked it’s democratic credentials. DP won the toss and batted under cloudy conditions.
Rich Woolhouse banged a belligerent 30 with trademarks biffs over square-leg and cuffs over the slips. His opening partner, Gwyn, however, struck an exceptional 124*, with nine fours and seven sixes. This innings pretty much sealed the result of the match. He scored consistently over the first two thirds of his innings, and then accelerated brilliantly toward the end. Of considerable note here were two ferocious straight fours off the impressive Tobdan, and some nice lofted sixes off the slow bowlers as he shimmied down the track.
Ben batted very fluently for his 21, but the next five batsmen all fell cheaply, trying to force the pace in the final overs. Tobdan in particular caused problems with late inswinging yorkers. East Prawle possessed some good bowlers and their fielders demonstrated excellent commitment throughout. 220-7, though, was a very sizable total. Toward the latter stages of our innings, the unmistakable sight of Andy Orme emerged out of the horizon, after a committed and arduous drive from Shropshire. He took little persuasion to change into his whites for the East Prawle innings.
East Prawle made a decent start, and were 71-1 after 10 overs. Canning (49) in particular set about his task well, but thereafter wickets fell steadily as they were forced to take risks to keep up with the required rate. They also had the challenge of batting in very windy and gloomy conditions, and all this with a low-visibility red ball.
Riaz (3-12) was much improved from the evening before, and produced a beauty to rip through the defences of Canning. Somewhat remarkably, 11 of our team bowled in total, as DP rotated a squad of 13 (two who bowled didn’t bat), and everyone bowled pretty well, considering. A focused Proctor (2-8) removed danger man Tobdan, after he had introduced himself with some panache by punching Vinay for a low, skidding straight six off his first ball with a long-handled, shoulderless blade. Vinay, however, found some comfort in his 2-18 which took him past the 100 Strongroom wickets milestone. Well done Vinay. Ben’s wicket-keeping was again of a very high standard.
Meanwhile, Woolhouse R had helped himself to several refills from Andrew Jones’ box of Salcombe Pale Ale, and his distinctive, barking commentary from the sidelines provided a disruptive audio backdrop to the proceedings. East Prawle were finally dismissed for 162 in the final over, but it was clear they had some cricketing nous that had not quite delivered on the day. We headed off to the excellent Pig’s Nose Inn for some socially distanced refreshments. After some drinks and reflection, there was a widespread consensus - we will return to East Prawle.
Written By: J.Gower
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