Gower brings Strongroom to the brink
Toddington Manor, 7/28/2007
Gardeners won by 9 runs
Gardeners: 208-9 (J.Gower 4-32)
Strongroom: 199-8 (J.Gower 77*)
View the Scorecard
Strongroom won toss and elected to field.
Gardeners were inserted and play began on time at the picturesque Toddington Manor. The Strongroom attack of Rich W (1-16)and Jon Gower (4-32) supported by Oliver Moore (0-31) was effective in keeping things tight. Mike Richards sliced one to backward point and was held by a tumbling Omar then Will Sutton got a good one from Rich W and nicked behind to the keeper Guy who put in a creditable performance behind the stumps despite a 20 year hiatus from the game. At 32-2 after 10 overs and 67-2 after 20 overs it was clear the bowling was on top due to control and swing movement on what was yet a good batting surface.
Woodhouse and Vincent had played themselves in and seen off the opening bowling before they launched against the Strongroom spin attack. James Schneider making his debut for Strongroom was targeted early (perhaps an indication of the perceived threat had he been allowed to settle early in his spell) and Jolyon was also given some treatment on a ground with quite short boundaries. 83 runs were taken from the next 10 overs as Gardeners began to accelerate.
The breakthrough came with a great piece of fielding as Oliver Moore hit the stumps direct from the boundary running out the dangerous Vincent (78). The Gower brothers returned to try and exert some control and took wickets regularly. Woodhouse (57) was removed by Gower D (2-22) after a long innings and after some lusty hitting from Scott-Barrett (29) the Gardeners innings was closed at 208-9 after 40 overs. Pick of the bowling was Gower J with 4-32. Rumour was this was a good score for the venue and conditions.
The teams retired to the pavilion for a fine tea of bagettes and cakes as Strongroom marshalled their batting resources. They would have to bat well to reach what was the highest score recorded between the teams at "the Manor" since the fixture began.
Strongroom's reply was launched by Woolhouse and Baddeley (26) , the latter displaying his liking for the short and wide ball. But in conditions favourable to swing bowling wickets fell regularly as the Strongroom failed to get off to a flyer. Woolhouse was taken behind (at the third attempt) off a good full outswinger from Campbell. James Claro was caught in the infield to a fine catch and despite early signs of promise Andy Taylor fell to a nick behind off the accurate Vincent (3-12). After 14 overs the progess was a meagre 47-4 as the Gardeners bowling was able to turn the screw. Some of the initial damage was repaired by the Gower brothers. Gower D (28) was enjoying his middle order role when he picked out a short mid-off after having begun to accelerate nicely. Some support was provided by Omar before he too fell to a good inswinger from Vincent.
The asking rate began to climb and wickets continued to fall. Gower J was looking ready to launch an attack. The rate required was 10 an over at the 30 over mark with Jon looking much more comfortable at the crease than what had come before. Now batting with Jolyon the runs required got to 75 off the last four overs. Surely Strongroom had left it too late? The slow bowlers were now operating and Jon launched a blistering attack of straight hitting. 10 runs were taken from the next over and then the next two overs both went for 20. When Jolyon fell for 20 in the last over James Schneider came to the crease needing 4 sixes from the final four balls. Alas it was too much and despite some more enormous straight sixes the Strongroom came up 9 runs short. Gower J (77*) had produced an explosive knock which amazingly almost got us past the post.
Gardeners had bowled well and held their catches and 208 proved just beyond us in reply. The teams retired to the local pub and managed to highjack someone's BBQ and score a free feed! The return fixture next week at the Woods is keenly awaited!
Written By: Rich Woolhouse
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