Strongroom win in fine Manor
Toddington Manor, 7/2/2005
Strongroom won by 41 runs
Strongroom: 177-9 (J.Morris 48)
Gardeners: 136 all out
View the Scorecard
Strongroom were invited to bat on a muggy day at the picturesque Toddington Manor, in what promised to be another classic encounter between these two evenly matched teams. Heavy cloud cover provided good swing bowling conditions, but Strongroom were fielding one of their strongest batting line-ups in recent memory.
The old firm of Rich and Dave G, though looking comfortable, were soon back in the hutch with only 16 on the board, courtesy of some accurate, full-length bowling from Le Bon. Alex Taylor again looked well composed, but fell to a sharp run out, and three quality batsmen were out for only 32 runs. A partnership was needed, and Jon G (37) and James Morris (48) provided just that with 77 runs in 16 overs. Both batsmen were pressured with some tight bowling, but also smashed powerful drives to puncture the infield. Gardeners were not helped by an injury to one of their bowlers before he managed to bowl a single delivery. Just as Strongroom were looking in a dominant position Jon lunged at a straight one and lost his stumps. For once, skipper Simon Ray didn’t score his usual runs, and James followed soon after to a great catch, for another excellent innings. At 121-6 off 30 overs, Strongroom needed a final push to mount a defendable total. Andy Taylor (21) and John Baddeley (15) smashed, smeared and scampered a valuable 42-run partnership. Andy looked in great touch and might have even raced to 50 if he’d been able to run. Additional late hitting from Guy and calmer efforts from Jolyon and debutant David Franks saw Strongroom to a respectable total of 177-9. Would it be enough?
A civilised and tasty Gardeners tea was eaten in the leisure of the pavillion, as Strongroom plotted their bowling plan. Gardeners had bowled and fielded with real focus and intent, and Strongroom knew the same would be required from them.
Opening bowlers Simon and Rich didn’t quite get it in the ‘right area’ consistently enough, and sure enough Gardeners got off to a depressingly steady start. Tight fielding gradually increased the pressure and it was this that finally forced the initial breakthrough with an excellent run out at 49-1. Jon G got the ball to swing away and snared Johnstone for 35 and bowled Clayton for 0. Gardeners were now 59-3 and the match was evenly poised. Woodhouse and Bassett engineered a revival for Gardeners with some solid batting, and the natural ebb and flow of proceedings swung now towards the Gardeners. Simon bowled a pacy but unrewarded second spell and then unleashed his spin twins (Dave G & Jolyon). They started unspectacularly and although managing not to concede too many boundaries, the scoreboard ticked over at an untroubled rate. At 123-3 Strongroom were in need of a breakthrough. It came through more sharp fielding with another run out, and Strongroom had their foot in the door. Then followed a dramatic and devastating collapse, as 7 wickets fell for just 13 runs. Dave bowled a good spell of off-spin and took two wickets as the batsmen eventually tried to launch him over the rope. James came back for a much-improved second spell and scattered the stumps twice, Simon bowled another excellent, fiery (again unrewarded) spell, and Jon G eventually completed the rout with his third wicket.
This was a stunning victory that underlined the rewards of a composed determination and self-belief in the field. Strongroom came into this game with a potent batting line-up, but it was their hungry bowling and excellent ground fielding that sealed Gardeners fate. Strongroom’s effort in the field was typified by John Baddeley’s superb debut behind the stumps and Jolyon’s scampering and catching in the deep.
All eyes on next week as Gardeners travel to Highgate to exact revenge.
Written By: J Gower
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