Strongroom fail to adapt to Astroturf culture
Wray Crescent, Islington, 10/6/2007
Pacific won by 6 wickets
Strongroom: 163-6 (J.Rebbeck 64*)
Pacific: 164-4 (R.Bastin 72*, J.Webley 49)
View the Scorecard
This 2007 curtain-closer in Wray Crescent ended in lovely Autumnal sunshine, but also a convincing defeat for Strongroom, to seal what has been a tough season.
Jon Gower again demonstrated his tossing skills to good effect, and within minutes Rich Woolhouse (37) and Paul Charles (9) were out in the middle. Rich was in an aggressive mood, and he ruthlessly dispensed of stray output from Allum and Atkins with a series of clanking drives. This pair put on 53 in just 10 overs, and the phlegmatic Paul Charles played a vital role in building this platform. However, by now it was noticeable that Allum and Atkins were starting to reign in their initial waywardness, and every over saw deliveries carry through with pace and bounce. Rich and Paul were both snared caught behind, and Claro and J.Gower soon followed in identical fashion. This surface, though true, is the exact opposite of the low and slow Highgate Woods track, and all our frontline batsmen to adapt to the bounce and pace. At 64-4 Strongroom were in some disarray, but David Gower (21) and Jolyon Rebbeck (64*) patiently set about the task of re-building the innings. David G played with a gustiness and determination that has been impressive in his middle-order berth this season, whilst Jolyon revealed once more the talents at his disposal. Although only striking three boundaries in his first officially recorded, Jolyon batted smartly and displayed good situation-awareness as he increased the tempo in the final five overs. Strongroom finished on 164-6, not a bad total considering our earlier position, but another 20-30 would probably have felt better.
Tea Report: 7/10 A curious, but satisfactory combination of shop-bought sandwiches and home made fare. Good to see some freshly brewed tea though!
The cares of captaincy absent from his broad shoulders, Proctor danced in down the slope with more zip than has been seen all season, and in no time he had Pacific 10-2. DP was back to his best, the hallmark full length and skiddy ‘heavy ball’ were all on show as he bowled his best spell of the season and what would be Strongroom’s best of this game. However, these two early scalps brought Jon Webley (49) in to partner Rob Bastin (72*), and these two effectively took the game away from Strongroom. Rich Woolhouse and Jon Gower both bowled some good spells, but anything short was dispatched by this pair who were clearly familiar with the ways of the artificial surface. Bastin did give chances, but Strongroom let them go, and the match gradually slid away from us. Richard Boote (1-28) again claimed a big scalp, but Strongroom couldn’t capitalise on these breakthroughs to make further inroads.
Though this was a disappointing result on which to finish, it was overall a pleasant day out, and for many of us it represented our first outing in October! In addition, England beat Australia in the Rugby World Cup semi-final…how could we not be happy with that? We retired to the boozer to reflect on a won-10 lost -10 season. It has been tough…but isn’t that better than it being too easy? See you all at the AGM…
Read the Pacific CC mach report.
Written By: Jon Gower
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