Match Report
Crusaders completed a fantastic weekend in Lincolnshire with a comfortable 35 run victory against Caythorpe. In a match reduced to thirty overs, Crusaders were indebted to a solid 36 (ret n.o.) from Nita, as he and Slightly laid a solid (to some slightly slow) foundation. Fans of watching paint dry may wish to add watching Darren at the crease to a list of exciting pursuits.
Pommie and Wajih perished trying to accelerate the scoring rate and Chand flattered to deceive with three consecutive boundaries, before holing out. Man of the Tour Grant Reynolds held the innings together, with a sound 19 and Mike gained some revenge for yesterday's lbw decision, by adjudging Gord out stumped to the last ball of our innings. 135 from 30 overs may have appeared a little short, but the pitch was playing slow and with some uneven bounce.
Confucius says 'Those that criticise from the boundary edge, would do well to wait until they had made a positive contribution before opening their mouths'.
It was important that Caythorpe started positively and equally so that Crusaders bowled and fielded to prevent that happening. Pommie bowled an aggressive opening spell, regularly beating the outside edge. He immediately reaped rewards, with Slightly taking a good running catch at widish mid-on, to dismiss their County Colt. Spud was equally miserly at the other end, bowling 6 overs for just 6 runs. The excellent start set the tone for the rest of the game, with all Crusaders bowlers returning good figures. Grant added another two wickets, to finish top wicket taker with 5 (a wicket for every thousand miles travelled). Caythorpe finished on exactly 100.
