Lack of runs leave Strongroom playing catch-up
Chiswick Civil Service, 8/16/2008
Jesmond Jaguars won by 4 wickets
Strongroom: 153
Jesmond Jaguars: 154-6 (M.Zeieigler 60)
View the Scorecard
Strongroom opted to bat first on a green but firm track, courtesy of a week of Atlantic-fuelled westerly showers. This was a new-look Strongroom XI, as we continue to work our way through our ‘transition phase’, incorporating new players to blend with our loyal regulars. Rich W [24] and Tim Schneider [4] posted a sound opening partnership which occupied the best part of the first 10 overs, with both batsmen showing good shot selection on an up and down surface, against the probing Mounsey and Sonaike. Tim was replaced by Simon Ray [29], who batted with impressive fluency and showed no rustiness after a couple of months away from cricket action, and it was a pity when he slapped a long-hop straight to short-cover. A spate of wickets left Strongroom in some difficulty at 85-6. However, some gutsy resistance was offered by new boys Ujjal [22] and Joe [24], which went some way in steering Strongroom to a more credible position. Ujjal displayed more of his wristy strokeplay and livewire running between the wickets, whilst Joe preferred to stand still at the crease and wait to tonk anything overpitched. Paddy [15] added some beef to the wagging tail, but Strongroom eventually ended on a disappointing 153 all out, probably 40-50 runs short of a truly defendable total.
Tea: Neatly-cut sandwiches and swiss rolls were washed down with a nice big urn of strong tea. A bit pricy though.
Strongroom needed quick wickets to enable early inroads to be made into the Jaguars line-up, however, openers Cook [32] and Ziegler [60] were reading from a different script, and prevented Strongroom’s game plan from manifesting itself. Although opening bowlers Paddy and Ujjal [2-35] both bowled decent early-doors spell, and beat the edge on several occasions, Cook and Zeigler exhibited sound technique in defence, and some bold clean-hitting by Ziegler in particular when he chose to attack. J.Gower juggled the bowlers around and regained some control in the shape of Simon Ray [1-24] and Joe Rafman [1-17], who both bowled good lines and bowled with little luck at times. A cluster of wickets, including two run outs, gave Strongroom a spring in the their step, but ultimately it was to prove in vain. Ujjal bowled a great final over of snaky inswing towards the end, which snared two more victims, but Jaguars ambled home with 3 overs and 4 wickets to spare.
This was a disappointing defeat for Strongroom, but with more runs this could have been a much closer encounter. Strongroom’s good fielding was worth a mention, as was their excellent team spirit (especially as it contained so many new players). Next week London Fields at home…we need to get back to winning ways…
Written By: JG
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