Strongroom wide of the mark again
Tooting, 8/11/2007
Caribbean Mix won by 35 runs
Caribbean Mix: 246
Strongroom: 211 (S.Ray 58, J.Gower 43)
View the Scorecard
Skipper David Proctor was immediately out-tossed by Jim Ferguson, and thus Strongroom were requested to bowl first on a hot, breezy afternoon in deepest Tooting. It was essential Strongroom had a strong start – but sadly the very opposite scenario was played out as Ray and Willcock failed to bowl a tight line, and Pete Cannon was kept busy as he dived both sides to stop stray deliveries. The left-handed Johno (34) hit the ball with flair and gusto, and after 10 overs Caribbean Mix were off to a scorching 74-0. Proctor struggled to maintain a balanced field as the left-right opening combination repeatedly punctured holes on the off and on sides. However, he was able to wrestle back some control with Oliver Moore (3-22) who was by far the pick of the attack. Moore’s accurate in-swing troubled the attacking nature of the Mix batsmen, and twice he was rewarded with big, swirling mis-hits being beautifully judged and caught by David Gower at long on. The Horse, Hem Patel and Rich Woolhouse both bowled good spells within their allotted overs, but again there were too many loose balls which were clattered to the shorter cemetery boundary. The shrewd Mark Green (49) worked the field well in his productive innings, yet at 148-6 the game was there for the taking. Pete Cannon executed a smart run out to remove Mr Brown, and the balance was just starting to shift when Alex (35) and Zigg (29) slashed and carved the momentum once again in their favour. By now the heat was starting to frazzle the fielders minds, and catches were dropped, much to the delight of a nearby, noisy, roof-top party.
Caribbean Mix finished on a healthy 246 all out, a total assisted by a generous portion of 48 extras from the Strongroom – including 27 wides.
Tea Report 9/10 Marjorie again delivered the goods in the form of delicious Curry Goat, served on a large bed of rice and accompanied by a finely chopped potato salad. Proctor’s donation of 40 small oranges was also a master-stroke.
A sound opening partnership was essential in chasing down 246, yet catastrophically, Rich Woolhouse appeared to run himself out of the very first ball. This was a hammer blow to the Strongroom’s cause. However, opening partner Oliver Moore (25) and Simon Ray (58) showed great resolve in putting on 73 runs for the 2nd wicket. Moore responded well to the opening position, using his height well to drive off the front-foot. Simon Ray played a brilliant innings, revealing all the now familiar shots in his armoury: the slog-sweep, on-side chip, pull and the back-foot drive. Run-outs proved to be the suicide method of choice of the day though, and another mix-up led to the waste of Oliver Moore’s wicket. Debutant Sam Merali strode into the arena, which proved to be a highly competitive one for a man who had not held a bat for several years. He was bowled by Wayne for 4, and soon after Simon Ray committed hari-kari and holed out to deep midwicket, leaving Strongroom wobbling on 106-4. Thus it was that the Gower brothers met again in the middle, and they plotted to repeat their overhaul of the Jesmond Jaguars earlier in the summer. J.Gower (43) struggled to work away the accurate spin of Mr Brown, and though this pair put on 59 runs, the required run rate continued to rise alarmingly. As Gower J was stuck at one end, Gower D (23) took more risks, and entertained onlookers with some of those sweetly-struck lofted drives. After taking a ball on his teeth, the now bloodied Gower J was finally yorked by Emile, and Strongroom were now left facing a near-impossible task. The Mix exerted great pressure in the field, with all their fielders maintaining a constant chatter. Pete Cannon (12*) did his usual best, but Strongroom were finally defeated, this time 35 runs short.
Strongroom had fought hard in this encounter, and there was no disgrace in this defeat, but ultimately they paid the price for another expensive performance in the field.
Written By: Jon Gower
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