Stunning victory against the odds
Highgate Wood, 7/27/2014
Strongroom won by 2 runs
Strongroom: 105
Gardeners: 103
View the Scorecard
A sweltering day greeted the Gardeners and Strongroom to this ever-competitive fixture. We knew the overhead conditions, alternating from blue sky to hazey light cloud cover, would offer the bowlers something on what looked like a decent flat track, albeit pock marked by the odd football boot stud. SR were short 2 players with Naeem collapsing on his way to the game, maybe falling prey to the ravages of his Ramadan fast? We wish him a speedy recovery. Tilly, Guy’s daughter stepped up and as ever was a reliable fielder and trusty lower order batswoman. To be fair, both sides were light in either the bowling or batting department, nevertheless this weakness provided for one of the most exciting matches of the season.
Jamie won the toss for Gardeners and put SR into bat.
SR were quickly in trouble as both opening bowlers hit good lengths and the pitch offered some extra spice, a number of balls leaping to head height when pitched just short of a length. The miserly Navratil and Cunningham bowled the first 10 overs for just 23 runs setting the tone for what turned out to be a bowler’s day. The tall, strongly-built left arm Cunningham in particular impressed, asking some really difficult questions with his whippy in swingers. He removed Grant Dixon in the 4th over with a shortish ball that lifted nicely into the right hander’s armpit and took a glove to loop easily to the keeper Connelly.
Ridwan came in at 3 and showed his quality with nice footwork and a great eye, but was caught stepping back into his stumps to a great in-swinger from Cunningham which did him lbw in front of middle and off. Riaz came and went for just 2 balls, succumbing to another good lbw shout, although he was well forward and slightly frustrated to be dismissed after getting his promotion up the order. At 8/3 off 6 overs SR were really struggling.
The ever green Guy Wilson along with Vinay started to rebuild the innings. Vinay eventually coming out of his shell with some well struck 4’s until he was dismissed by the classic half tracker that saw his eyes light up and sky a simple catch to square leg. SR 25/4 off 11 overs and the skipper in about 10 overs earlier than expected.
Guy and David set about the task of rebuilding the innings seeking to accumulate enough runs for their bowlers to target; they moved steadily to 73 off the first 20 overs, putting away bad balls, although they both played and missed a few times. David was dropped at first slip by Jamie off Robowski early on in his innings.
Humphrey’s came on after drinks and threw up some brave ‘moon’ balls in his first over which were watched carefully by David. Alas not so for Guy, who couldn’t resist an almighty heave at a full toss and was easily caught at mid on. SR debutante Paul was removed first ball by Humphrey’s in his second over, another full toss chipped back to him for a simple c&b.
The useful left arm spin of Leahy did for David, who was expertly caught at mid off by a fully airborne and horizontal Rich Clayton. At 23 overs SR were stumbling towards a sub par total at 85/7. Some quick running and lusty hitting from the newbie Byron saw SR edge over 100, with bowler John Rajeeve contributing a curious mixture of stoic defence and wild slashes. Tilly was n.o. but unfortunately did not get to contribute - Byron was run out to a mis-field in the 26th over, failing to ground his bat. 105 for 9 (all out) was definitely a weak performance by the SR batsmen and one that left me convinced that we were bound to go honours even in our 10+ year history against the Gardeners (9-8 before the start of this our 20th game).
SR ate our tea with a mixture of resignation for the expected clinical finish from the Gardeners, only slightly improved by the prospect of an early pint and respite from the heat.
This wasn’t to be - 38.2 overs later we walked off the unlikely victors.
DP discussed tactics with bowler Grant Dixon (49 wickets in less than 3 seasons with SR and an average of 18, or so he told me!) before the Gardeners innings. We thought our only hope was to go for the win inside 32 overs, seeking to bowl out our top four bowlers if necessary, possibly bringing Vinay in the second half of the game if we got close.
The approach worked well as the Gardeners made the worst of starts with the unfortunate John Vincent getting his third low score on Highgate, bowled off an inside edge for 0, second ball from Ridwan. The attacking Aussie May came in at no 3, and looked to make inroads into the low total but was also undone, like Vinay for SR, by the short ball that failed to come on with any pace. He gifted a dolly catch to the safest pair of hands, Guy Wilson, at midwicket. The other opener Leahy, also fell for 0, strangled down leg side, by a ball he gloved, although he was convinced it was shirt rather than glove. This left the Garderners wobbling at 9/3 off 6 overs.
James Elliot and Rogowski both looked solid in defence but both were dismissed inside 15 overs. Rogowski was done by Riaz caught at midwicket by John Rajeeve and skipper Jamie got a tough decision LBW off Grant – after he was well forward and possibly outside the line, but the Aussie May raised the finger and he had to go. Grant was jubilant, taking the top scalp for his 50th SR wicket. At 23/5 Gardeners found themselves in a similar position to SR.
So began the re-build by the solid Rich Clayton and a mostly assured Cunningham. SR knew the game was on and so sort to rotate the bowlers with Riaz bowling quality leg spin to bamboozle the batsmen time after time. At 20 overs Gardeners had countered nicely to bring the game back into balance on 52/5. After a short drinks break we resumed the match and slowly but surely the Gardeners batsmen began to assert themselves with the willow. Clayton in particular stroking a few beautiful cover drives to the boundary, ably supported by Cunningham.
At 66 for 5 off 24 overs the game was still on for a close finish, one that I felt would go in the favour of the visitors. John Rajeeve bowled his first 4 overs with his usual blend of tight lines and decent pace outside off, but it was Vinay that changed the game (3/9 off 7 overs). He came on to bowl at over 21 and in his second over caught Cunningham LBW to break the important 6th wicket partnership. DP immediately took out second slip and saw the first ball of Nesbitt’s innings fly through the vacant cordon.
Another decent mini stand between Clayton and Nesbitt took the visitors to 86 until the stoic Clayton finally succumbed to the pressure and fine SR bowling, removed LBW by Vinay on 23.
Gardeners were 86/7 with 28 overs bowled. Just 18 required to win off 12 overs.
Nesbitt and Connelly put on another scrambled 8 runs, including some classic over throws, until Nesbitt was bowled by Vinay.
SR sensed an unlikely victory with the batsmen clearly nervy under real pressure consistent bowling. Many an edge was missed by the bat and the few that took the edge flew past the keeper and slips. Undeterred the SR bowlers rallied and in spite of a few suicide runs by the batsman they kept their cool.
At 94/8, Gardeners required just 11 runs from 10 overs for the draw with 2 wickets left; and it seemed as if they had done the necessary work with Connelly and Humphries eking out dirty runs to take them to 103. However, Humphries was removed LBW (bit leggie) off Vinay to leave them teetering on the brink of defeat; the SR fielders came in close to restrict the singles and keep on top of the batsman. John Rajeeve kept his nerve at the start of the 38th over and took an inside edge to bowl Connelly and finish the game in favour of SR.
A fantastic finish from SR’s perspective, a tale of what might have been for the Gardeners.
The Strongroom bowling attack was the difference on the day, bowling quality line and length throughout, maintaining high pressure to eventually prevail.
Warm handshakes were exchanged by both sides at the end of the game. We retreated to the Woodman for a review of the match and a couple of well earned ales.
Looking forward to resuming the contest next weekend in Dulwich.
DP
Written By: D.Proctor
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