What a ground!
Lynton, Devon, 9/26/2021
Strongroom won by 97 rus
Strongroom: 216-5 [G.Jones 104, J.Gower 57]
Lynton & Lynmouth: 119
View the Scorecard
The Kilve campers awoke to a lovely, fresh autumnal morning, and made our way to Watchet for a cooked breakfast. This was followed by a picturesque coastal drive, zigzagging our way through wooded valleys to the staggeringly beautiful ground of Lynton & Lynmouth CC. The setting for the ground is quite something, nestled in among high rocky outcrops, stunted woodland clinging onto scattered rock debris, bracken undergrowth, tenacious goats, ramblers, calm blue sea and a light breeze.
However, the weather soon changed as we went out to bat, with dark clouds bringing drizzle for the first few overs, until a sea breeze cleared it away to reveal an expansive blue sky, which stayed with us for the rest of the afternoon. Atkinson opened up from the pavilion end, and his height and pace achieved some awkward bounce, though his line was erratic at times. Sadly, veteran opener DG was late onto one of his bouncers, and was taken at square leg. However, Gwyn (104) was in no mood to depart the scene, and produced another quality ton, courtesy of some brutal cover drives, well-placed on-drives, careful leaves and savage square cuts. Together with myself (57), we put on 181 for the second wicket. Vinay produced a sparkling 20* in the final overs, featuring an effortless and enormous straight six deep into the bracken. For L&L, Constable was excellent, with probing away swing on a good length, and Bingham bowled some deceptive slower balls in the final overs. We ended on a formidable 216-4 off 35 overs.
Tea included a quality, homemade fruit cake and an excellent cuppa tea.
The L&L run chase never really got going, and we bowled them out for 119 in the penultimate over. ‘Room teenagers Otto and Henry both bowled superbly. L&L wicket keeper De Wet (21) unveiled some classy strokes and appeared to be the main threat, but was duly caught by Riaz at mid-off of Mario as he tried to assert himself. Thereafter it was a struggle for L&L. DG had Atkinson caught swishing one into the covers, and for a few overs we had the pleasing spectacle of Ian and Riaz bowling in concert, with Ian (2-20) securing his first ‘Room wickets on UK soil. The well-cut outfield made fielding much easier, in comparison to what we are normally accustomed to, and Otto in particular impressed with his alert pick-ups and throws. The final wicket came in the 34th over, a rising leg-cutter that nibbled the edge of a forward push and was nicely caught behind by DP. As well as sealing the game, this also provided me with my 200th SCC wicket, for which I was most chuffed. However, and I appreciate this sounds annoyingly mindful, I found the most enjoyable aspect of this game simply being there and taking in the setting. I hope we return in 2022.
Below is Lynton in all its glory.
Written By: J.Gower
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