Strongroom shredded through Caribbean Mixer
Highgate Woods, 7/22/2006
Caribbean Mix won by 6 wickets
Strongroom: 147-5 (J.Baddeley 54*, J.Gower 41)
Caribbean Mix: 149-4
View the Scorecard
A combination of mid-summer showers and the late arrival of our new opppoisition, both of which drifted their way across London, meant for a shortened 30-over contest. D.Gower won the toss and opted to bat first on a sweaty track and now humid conditions.
Tim and Joano both bowled superb opening spells, maintaining a disciplined line and length and letting the steaming track do the rest. After 9 overs Strongroom were 19-0, with D.Gower (12) and R.Woolhouse (5) both playing sensibly. However, Rich holed out in the 10th over, as the pressure mounted, and soon afterwards Dave was snared at gully. J.Claro (10) and J.Gower (41) set out to stabilise the innings, but the two change bowlers again stuck to their skills and kept up the pressure on Strongroom. Jon steadied the innings and hit the ball cleanly, but he lost both James Claro and James Morris (12) to fine catches. At 50-4 in the 21st over quick runs weer needed, and J.Gower and John Baddeley (54*) provided just that as they took Strongroom to a respectable 147-5 off 30 overs. John baddeley batted brilliantly for his debut half-century, plundering five 4’s off one over, and revealing some swashbuckling Pietersen-esque swats through cover.
Tea Report: Jon & Kritee Gower. 9/10 This was damn good food! Well seasoned chicken pieces, rice and peas, salad, coleslaw and some Indian morsels for the vegetarians. And at £2-00 per head, good value as well.
Strongroom had their work cut out defending a modest total without their best strike bowlers (Ray and Mellor). Skipper D.Gower opened up with brother Jon and Rich W. Opening bat Toney (64*) set out his stall early on. A tall man with a crouched stance, he exhibited a typically West Indian flair as he simply hit the ball hard and long, with a big flourish of the bat. Strongroom helped him along with a few missed chances though, and only Rich Woolhouse (6-0-20-1) really threatened as he completed another fine spell of probing away-swing. Skipper D.Gower juggled seven bolwers in all, but Strongroom paid the price for failing to take their chances. Latty (34) was far more inhibited than Toney, but their contrasting styles took their team to a position nearing victory. Latty and Tim fell to the brothers’ Gower, but that man Toney continued to punish Strongroom, and an easy victory was achieved in the 24th over.
Strongroom are looking forward to the return fixture in Tooting in three weeks time, hopefully with some more ballast in the fast bowling department.
Written By: J.Gower
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