More seesawing than a children's playground
Highgate Wood, 4/30/2022
Strongroom won by 10 runs
Strongroom: 187-8 [O.Gray 48]
Jesmond Jaguars: 177 [S.Dalgleish 56*]
View the Scorecard
Another very enjoyable seesaw match against one of our favourite opponents. At 83-3 off 20 chasing 188 and batting with plenty of intent, Jaguars seemed well placed. They continued to bat aggressively but the required run rate was not dropping and the odd wicket was being chipped away and the game started to swing towards us. Oscar then had a ‘mare over with some full-toss no balls dispatched for 4 and 6 in an over that went for 20 (DP’s post-match WhatsApp summary says 16 after the first legitimate ball!), and the Jaguars were right back in the hunt and probably favourites to see it home. The game then swung back to Strongroom when DP brought Vinay on to all but snuff out the run chase with three quick, inexpensive wickets. Including Joe snaffling a tracer bullet catch at short mid off. Second generation Jaguar Will came in to try to hang in for a last wicket miracle, but was eventually run out while his partner (top-scorer Dalgleish) tried one time too many to farm the strike.
This match had a bit of a whiff of a previous Strongroom v Jaguars classic back in 2009 (http://strongroomcc.com/reports.asp?pid=119). That was also a close but ultimately unsuccessful run chase by Jaguars at Highgate ended finally by a runout again effected by Dave G from mid-on. It was also similar in that SCC were slightly on top until Ujjal (the Oscar analogue in this comparison), who was also generally having a very good game, had one meltdown over (14 runs) that swung the game in favour of the visitors.
Earlier in the day, Strongroom moved in fits and starts to 187-8 on a difficult pitch (following a lack of rain for 3–4 weeks). Jon and Joe were scuttled by shooters while other deliveries bounced erratically. Vinay and Ankit both looked in good touch, Vinay probably playing the most fluent innings of the day. Jerome looked extremely solid in his first innings back after 8 years away, while not finding it easy to pick up the scoring rate. And Oscar in his debut SCC innings (his first competitive cricket for 6 years) biffed his way to an almost half century with three meaty 6s. Good bowling from Mounsey and Biggart was supported by some excellent stuff full of promise from young Will. Jaguars probably missed one additional bowler to keep the pressure on at key moments.
Dave P wasn’t happy about his dismissal. I’m writing this a couple of months after the game, based on rough notes and memory – I remember some chuntering but not the details of his ‘caught behind’. Jerome’s efforts after 8 years without cricket took their toll and he returned from being run out with a damaged calf. Fortunately, Dave Siddall wandered into the woods and was recruited at the tea break to carry out keeping duties (very competently!).
After tea, Boon came out giving it the full Bairstow, slamming several deliveries down the ground to get the chase off to a rollicking start. Ankit eventually picked him off and Joe (hurrah, Joe appeared while on a brief trip over from Hong Kong! For his first UK match for 2 years) dropped straight back into his miserly line and length to secure an inevitable 8 overs for not many that cranked up the pressure.
Jaguars number 4 Dalgleish (56*) put together a strong innings, helped by dropped catches (Vinay and Dave S) – one of which allowed us to be reacquainted with grumpy Joe. Other than those blemishes we fielded ok, with Joe’s and Sandeep’s spectacular catches the obvious highlights. And we bowled well (except for Oscar’s one eccentric over!). Including Arif and Mario, who otherwise hasn't had much of a mention so far.
In this image below, we can see David Siddal don the mits and turning out as Strongoom keeper, replacing Jerome who pulled a muscle. Funny what happens when you go for an afternoon stroll.
Written By: D.Gower
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