Match Report
With Wajih on vacation, Spud took charge of proceedings on a steamy afternoon in Essex. Pommie made a rare guest appearance and the side was supplemented by Lucky and IPL, replacing Shakil and Abdul from last week’s eleven. Heads was again the correct call and on a sun-soaked strip Crusaders took first knock.
At 65-5 Spud was beginning to rue the decision, but the middle order, so often the butt of cruel jibes, produced a rescue act that eventually carried us to a competitive total. Gurjinder and Himanshu both fell early, to the pace of Norris, while Goldie was run out from a direct hit, when he appeared well set for another big score. Jony Singh slipped seamlessly into G Man’s number four slot; practically a mirror image in athleticism, grace and not too dissimilar in scoring. John Rana formed the bedrock of the recovery scoring a studious maiden fifty and he was well supported by Riyad (35) and Pommie (40), as the score progressed to 201-7. From the relative comfort of his scoring position, Spud then had to perform a Mr Benn style transformation as Lucky and Loepreet contrived to lose their wickets in double quick time. Pommie’s fine innings of 40 was curtailed at the final delivery of the innings, when he failed to complete a quick single; comfortably run out by the bowler. Crusaders total of 227 was viewed as slightly light, but with a useful bowling attack and some nimble fielders confidence was high that it could be defended. A ruthless spell of medium pace seam bowling from Gajinder ensured that it was defended with ease.
With one ball being used throughout, Spud was happy to open the bowling, with Gajinder operating from the other end. Randall and Fogg negotiated the first few overs without alarm and even when Spud found the outside edge to remove Fogg, with the catch well pouched by Himanshu, there was little sign of the carnage to come. Bowling unchanged Gajinder returned Club best figures of 6-14 by sticking to the principle of bowling full and straight. Belhus hopes rested on Randall getting support, particularly from Norris, but when he drove firmly to mid-off and was superbly caught by Loepreet, Crusaders were firmly in the driving seat. When drinks were taken Belhus were teetering at 69-9, with Pommie and Lucky each picking up wickets. Crusaders rotated their bowlers and the Belhus Number 11 put bat to ball with good effect to restore some semblance of order to the scorecard. Well supported by Williams (52), Maidment recorded a maiden fifty and a stand of 111 carried the score to 180, before the re-introduction of Pommie completed our victory. Belhus had fielded 12 players in rotation throughout their time in the field and the extra player was allowed to bat with no affect to the result. This allowed Riyad to pick up the eleventh wicket of the innings with Maidment’s contribution ended with an injudicious attempt at a reverse sweep.
