Strong-Groomed for Success!
Chiswick, 6/3/2007
Strongroom won by 6 wickets
Jesmond Jaguars: 165
Strongroom: 169-4
View the Scorecard
We usually have a high standard of journalism in this column and Im sorry to lower the standards by doing a Sun-style team sheet report - but I thought it the best way to give everyone a mention on what was one of the great team performances of recent memory
Man of the match
*************Dave Proctor***********************
It takes a strong man to turn up for his team on the day after his wedding and the stag the night before that, but Proctor is a man for the big occasion. Most crucially he won the toss and put opposition into bat. Dave led from the front, throwing himself around in the field and produced an amazingly athletic leap to take a crucial, one handed catch out of no where. Showed restraint not to bowl himself!
Hem given the new ball, he showed good control but you felt luck was not on his side - a sitter dropped behind was the chance that might of changed his day - showed speed and agility in the field but dropped an easyish chance on his knees when he should have been standing.
Oliver when he gets it right with his high action Ol is a real handful got Strongroom off to a good start bowled some testing deliveries and got just rewards with the wickets of the two openers. Also had the dual role of opening the batting and was looking good until he played on.
Abhay bowled a great line and length to throttle the cats middle order - gave us a period of play where we pegged them back, applied the pressure and produced a crucial moment in the match when D Gower performed a Collingwood type catch at point to get rid of their danger man. Batted at 3 for an almost run-a-ball wristy 27 that got our innings up and running. Definitely our overseas man of the match and great all round performance!
Richard was showing signs of fatigue after the previous few days - put some good overs of swing in and hung around grimly with the bat to see off (but not see!) the opening bowlers.
Jon Gower showing great consistency with bat and ball this season bowled tidily especially at the end to mop up their tail. After some airy-fairy wafts at the start of his innings he grew in stature to produce the shot of the match with a sweet flowing drive. Jon and his brother shared an unbeaten 60 off the last 11 overs (42 off the last 6) a match winning partnership when there was still along way to go to win the game. Did well not to wilt in the face of constant, annoying advice from brother and umpire Dave P.
James Claro our man in form with the bat, hes fast becoming our Alex Stewart of the side but has the odd Geraint Jones moment and gave away his wicket softly when he was set.
Dave Gower catch of the match and season so far with a stunning two-handed, feet-in-the-air dive that really gave us a booster in the field when we needed something to happen. Batted with a cool level head and played some nice shots to see us through another match winning performance!
Guy showed he can stay up late and still bound around the out field saving precious runs made one great stop with his bum! Great stamina and energy.
Jolyon did his bit with ball to take an important wicket. Bowled beautifully.
Jim T last but not least - was drafted into the squad probably at about 4 in the morning when he thought it might be quite a fun idea as hed never played before in his life and how right he was proved! Importantly plugged some of those big gaps in the outfield and showed his got a good arm impressive debut!
Verdict Strongroom had to do what they dont usually do against the Jags, which is win - and chase a reasonable score which theyre generally not very good at doing. A sterling spirited team display it was the type of game that is a joy to play in and was fitting finale to a long weekend.
Well done to the fat cats who are a tough opposition to beat they have some impressive fire power in their two opening bowlers and give it plenty of chat in the field but were perhaps a bowler or two short in the end.
Written By: Jolyon Rebbeck
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