Gardeners get their revenge
posted: October 1, 2012

In the penultimate game of the season, having been roundly beaten three weeks beforehand, it was the Salmagundi Gardeners' turn to inflict defeat on us yesterday at North Middlesex CC.

With the early start time apparently catching several Strollers unawares (including vice captain Paul Bowstead!) and with only three quarters of the team present, hurridly appointed stand in skipper Spencer was left with little option but to bat first when he won the toss — a decision that looked very costly with the patchy late season wicket offering a puzzling degree of lift despite it's slow pace. As such, the Gardeners opening bowlers Stead and Williams were able to take full advantage and had the Strollers batsmen in all kinds of trouble mistiming and misjudging everything, resulting in a calamitous collapse that left us reeling on 26-5 (!) after just 11 overs and the embarrassing possibility of a sub 50 total looking all too ominous.

As has been all too often the case this season, the responsibility was yet again heaped on Spencer's shoulders to try to salvage something akin to respectability which, having been dropped behind on nought (little did they know! — Ed), he was mercifully able to achieve thanks to a small but steadying partnership between himself and Rob (newly promoted up the order to the heady heights of number 7) who quickly settled into his standard stonewall routine in order to see off the Gardeners opening pair. Unfortunately the change of bowling caused a glitch in the Davies concentration and the dobbler Douse got through his defences.

Fowler on the other hand lapped up the second string attack and, opening his shoulders, began hitting with ferocity ...spectators fearing for the safety of their car windscreens as a series of towering sixes rained down. By now Bowstead had arrived and was thrust straight into the middle but whilst he also fell victim to a mistimed drive, caught at point, his fellow latecomer Dave Couldrey fared better. Sensibly playing a supporting role to Spencer the pair were able to mount a potentially match changing partnership that took the total over 150 (much to the relief of their team mates) until Fowler finally miscued and was bowled for an invaluable 74. Couldrey then attempted to take over the charge but was stopped in his tracks, costily trapped LBW for 19. Numbers 10 and 11 were unable to nudge up the total and, when Johnny Kemp was bowled, the innings drew to a close on 155 all out — a tally much higher than had seemed possible an hour earlier yet frustratingly 20 or 30 runs short of a figure that would have been more easily defendable.

So it was to prove as the Gardeners batsmen were able to mount a well disciplined reply. Man of the match Stead, having already claimed 3 wickets with the ball, also opened the Salamgundi batting and was calmly immovable as he and McCann unfussily mounted a 50+ opening stand. Simon — who earlier in the day might have cashed in the zinging pitch had we been bowling — did well however to keep the batsmen honest and, with the Gardners score on 62, collected the first of two well earned LBWs.

Harry at the other end was very unlucky not to do likewise but, with the pitch now seemingly having lost it's life, anything down leg side just skidded low and evaded Matt's reach, resulting in a costly number of byes. Spencer brought himself on for a measerly spell that accounted for the wickets of Hillingsworth and Wood, but Stead remained unshaken and managed to see him off. Davies and Kemp proved easier for the Gardeners to score off and when the total passed 100 the wickets tally looked agonisingly short.  Despite the Strollers best efforts in the field — Spencer in particular knackering his shoulder in a vain diving attempt to stop a boundary at cover — the Gardners just weren't offering any chances until Paul managed to snaffle a regulation catch at gully off Jez but, with only 30 runs or so required and with wickets in hand, it really felt too little too late and Stead was able to carry his bat all the way home with 5 overs to spare.

Despite the avoidance of a horror show, the Strollers felt a tad deflated by the feeling that this was one that had got away and just one more decent knock from one of our batters might have been enough, but it was not to be. As always though it had been an enjoyable and engaging fixture with the Gardeners and we look forward to the rematch next year.

Gavin Richardson
01.10.12

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