Nigerians clinch tight victory despite Guy heroics
Raynes Park, 9/24/2006
London Nigerians won by 12 runs
London Nigerians: 153-7 (S.Legbe 86)
Strongroom: 142 all out (G.Wilson 42)
View the Scorecard
David Proctor was handed the captaincy reigns for this penultimate game of the season in this popular London Nigerians fixture. In pleasant September conditions Proctor decided to bowl first, albeit with a much weakened team.
Speedster Ray (3-31) snared Kadiri with his very first ball, a sharp, straight delivery which rapped his pads low down. However, this was to be no Whalers capitulation two weeks ago, as Solomon Legbe (86) and Iliabe (38) showed considerable patience in forging the bulk of their innings. Jon Gower (1-17) bowled a typically tidy spell from the other end, and this pair kept Legbe and Iliabe under wraps.
The pitch was proving to be a fickle surface, with many full pitch deliveries popping up awkwardly. This made front-foot driving a rarity, and Legbe genereally batted with great caution, yet he seized upon anything loose with shots of great power. All in all he struck six large sixes. Bully (0-20) bowled with his usual tenacity and little luck, whereas Moore (0-30) suffered as some of his looser deliveries were hammered by Legbe. Proctor was showing all the signs of being an excellent captain, manoeuvring his fielders and rotating his bowlers with real canniness. James Claro was also doing a fine job standing in behind the stumps as stand-in-keeper. Proctor (2-21) claimed two more victims with his waspish bowling, and Simon and Jon returned at the death to claim more wickets. LNCC finished on 153-7 off 35 overs, and Strongroom had bowled and fielded with genuine skill and commitment.
A quality Nigerian tea of rice, chicken and plantain was gobbled down, and Strongroom were keen to get out into the action before the weak autumnal light had a chance to work against their run-chase.
However, disaster struck two deadly blows at the start of the Strongroom innings. Claro (4) and Ray (0) were both out to Tade, chipping up easy catches off balls that stopped a little within their strokes. Moore (16) and Jon Gower (32) restored some steadiness to the proceedings, taking the score to 45-2 off 11 overs. With the loss of Moore, Ade (Strongroom’s loan from LNCC for the afternoon) stepped in and smashed some beefy boundaries, much to the amusement of his LNCC mates. But with Ade’s departure, Gower soon followed, and Bully did not stay much longer.
Strongroom were now 80-6 off 18 overs, still requiring an unlikely 74 for victory. Guy was looking in good touch, but he too lost partners quickly, and at 99-8 defeat was being stared in the face. But Guy (42) and debutant Bill (8*) had a different ending in mind, and this unlikely pair added a club record of 43 for the final wicket. Guy slapped, swiped, defended, hammered and biffed his way to a personal best score, and Bill showed resolute defence and growing confidence at the opposite end. LNCC mixed their attack, but they had already bowled out their main pacemen, and the final overs were left to the slow bowling of Kieran and Kevein. With 12 required off 3 overs Strongroom were in the driving seat, but Guy missed a straight one in the gloomy light and the plug was finally pulled on what would have been an audacious victory.
This was another hugely enjoyable game, played in a great spirit throughout. We look forward to locking horns with LNCC in 2007.
Written By: Jon Gower
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