Strongroom straight-bat Crossbats out of the game
Moormead, St.Margarets, 9/30/2006
Strongroom won by 76 runs
Strongroom: 173-9 (J.Gower 45, Bully 48)
Crossbats: 97 all out (A.Orme 4-27)
View the Scorecard
Strongroom played out their final encounter in 2006 amidst soggy September conditions, but their spirits were not dampened in what yielded a heavy victory.
This match was moved to the Crossbats reserve ground in Moormead, where the tatty artificial track and makeshift conditions only added to the end-of-season atmosphere. Skipper Jon Gower won the toss and elected to bat first. The familiar duo of Woolhouse and David Gower set out from the pavilion, with David having just flown in from Ethiopia where he had spent the previous few weeks collecting frogs at high altitude (someone does actually have to do it). Sadly Rich Woolhouse and Chris Englefield were both clean bowled for single-figures, and Jon Gower (45) came out to join his brother in what were clearly skiddy and awkward conditions. Both brothers hit the ball cleanly, and David (12) was just starting to open up when a sharp nip-backer from Ashley flicked his off-bail. Jon meanwhile was enjoying an autumnal purple-patch, and indulged in his usual cover-drives and square-cuts, and passed 1,000 Strongroom runs in the process. Bully (48) proved the perfect man at no.5, and his clean hitting and quick running again proved his value as an all-rounder of growing stature. J.Gower was eventually caught behind, but Roland Ilube (on loan from London Nigerians) took up the challenge and displayed some wonderful timing and stylish strokeplay in his fine cameo of 30 runs. With the dismissal of Bullt and Roland the innings started to falter as new batsmen tried to increase the rate. Indeed, a hat-trick was claimed, and Guy, Orme and Cannon all sacrificed their wickets for the greater team cause. Strongroom finished up with a robust total of 173-9 off 35 overs, which was good work considering the long grass outfield and the skiddy surface.
A tasty tea was wolfed-down standing-up (if you know what I mean), as both teams were keen to start the second innings before the light failed.
Andy Orme (4-27) used all the guile and canniness that only a veteran seamer such as himself can provide, and caused problems for Crossbat openers from the outset. Bowling a full length, his decision to shorten his run-up due to the awkward conditions was reminiscent of Holding in '84, and it brought immediate results as he bowled opposing skipper Wright for 4. Indeed, Andy bowled out his spell to claim yet another 4-for. At the other end Oliver Moore bowled his best yet spell for Strongroom, hitting a probing line and length with consistency. However, he had little luck, and it was the ebullient Orme who mopped up the wickets. Collier (26) looked a threat, and on several occasions he punctured the ring of out-fielders with his powerful cutting and driving. Eventually he tried one big shot too many, and Roland claimed the up-and-under catch in the covers off “The Orme”. Thereupon Gower introduced spin into the attack, in the form of Amin’s leg-breaks and David Gower’s finger-spin. Amin (1-15) showed some potential in what is surely the hardest style of bowling known to man, and claimed his first Strongroom wicket. D.Gower (2-18) again showed why he has the highest strike-rate in the club, and all his usual tricks were evident in what was his finest spell of the season. Jon Gower (1-12) gave himself 3 overs, but it was left to the inimitable Rich Woolhouse (2-2) to claim the final two Crossbats wickets, as his stump-to-stump bowling (eventually!) proved too much for numbers 10 and the 'teaman' no.11.
Crossbats had bowled very well, yet their batting had proved to be not as robust. Strongroom meanwhile stuck to their task with enthusiasm and some skill, and all retired to the Turk’s Head to reminisce on another fine season (and to hear more Rich Woolhouse “Benaud” impersonations, of course).
* Read the Crossbats Report *
Written By: Jon Gower
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