Strongroom make hay...and the sun doth shine
Highgate Wood, 7/13/2013
Strongroom won by 123 runs
Strongroom: 285 [D.Proctor 75*, J.Hall 51, G.Wilson 49]
Balham Roamers: 162
View the Scorecard
Two match reports this time!
Here is David Gower's version of events:
Hottest day of year. Balham lost toss (phew!). Pitch looked uneven but did not play terribly. Outfield very fast (for Highgate). BR bowled some some testing balls, also lots of wild stuff - 25 wides, many high full tosses. Batsmen needed to keep out straight stuff, punish the bad. Grant and Mike off to flying start. Clatter of wickets. Excellent Guy+Jimmy 60+ partnership. Guy falling agonisingly short of 50 - simultaneously lbw and treading on stumps against legspin of SCC new boy Craig (loaned to BR to make it 10 v 9). DP worked through gears up to full speed, well supported by Joe (50+ partnership). Pity we didn't see out 40 overs, but mammoth score.
Asif (fasting but holding it together in the heat) + Mike in superb opening spell effectively confirmed the unlikelihood of successful BR chase. Then turned into whether we could finish game before 40 overs. Scoreboard continued to click over with fast outfield and good 4th wicket partnership - broken by Joe to catch at cover (it had been coming for a while). Another stubborn partnership (6th wicket) broken by returning Mike G who along with Asif came back for fine second spells. Grant back on for much better second spell from other end knocked final nails in BR coffin, including v sharp catch behind by Jimmy.
Game didn't finish until after 7.30. SCC fielding held up well in heat, until about 30th over at least. SCC were better than BR and put in a good team performance to make sure of the result.
And here is David Proctor's version of events:
A depleted Balham Roamers side turned up at a sweltering Highgate Woods with just 8 regular team players and a loanee from SR.
SR won the toss and gave the visitors the dubious honour of fielding first in 30C+ temperatures.
Grant Dixon (35) and the ‘Nugget’ Mike Gabbay opened the batting and made solid progress with Grant in particular tucking in to the weakened Balham attack.
Mike was dismissed for a solid low score with a full pitched left arm in swinger that caught him in front of middle and leg.
Alex Turnbull drove through midwicket for a sweet 3 runs off his first ball and was removed next ball from the other end making the classic error playing across the line on the variably paced wicket.
Jimmy came in at 4 and played a great innings scoring 50 quick runs mostly in partnership with Guy Wilson who made a high tempo 49 before fatigue got the better of him.
David G came and went to a decent off spinner that held its line.
David P made an unbeaten 75 with all other Strongroom players contributing a few lusty blows before being dismissed for 275 off 38.2 overs
The tea from Muesli Hill bakery was consumed with less than the usual relish due to the heat and general lack of appetite. Water was consumed in great quantities thanks to a prescient and well-organised David Gower.
Strongroom knew their position in the game was a strong one, but nonetheless fielded well and bowled tight lines quickly reducing the roamers to 20-3 off the first 10. Their skipper offered resistance batting at 5 but unfortunately for the viewing public, the game was not a close one, as Balham eventually succumbed to 150 all out off 35 overs.
Mike Gabbay and Asif were probably the pick of the bowlers. Joe contributed as always with tight lines and some good turn on the dry pitch and Dave Gower bowled some excellent variations to stifle any runs in the middle overs. Asif did particularly well given he was fasting for Ramadan and no water or food passed his lips. Grant Dixon picked up 8,9 and 10 to wrap it up nice and quickly at the end, whereupon we made our way to the Woodman for a well deserved couple of sherbets. Completely knackered, but happy with our performance.
Balham will surely come back stronger next time.
Written By: D.Gower & D.Proctor
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