Match Report
Sunday 19 April –v- Woldingham Village at Croft Road Woldingham
Crusaders began the 2009 season with a first ever trip to the idyllic village of Woldingham and returned with the spoils. After persistent rain at the back end of the week, the match was in some doubt, but fortunately Saturday was warm and dry, enabling the fixture to commence.
The pitch was green and soft, making Wajih's decision to field first an easy one. Mr Taylor (Football), Gordy (old age) and Pommie (marriage - will we ever see him again!) were absentees, so we welcomed back Jagdesh, who introduced newcomer Upkar Singh to the club.
Danglers and Alex took the new ball and generally put it in the right areas, causing the two openers one or two scares. Alex drew first blood with a short ball that was helped into Big Head's waiting clutches at Square-leg, with the score on 27. Alex should have got further reward, but the skip and Nita allowed a reasonable chance to drop harmlessly between them. Spud replaced Alex and immediately took a return catch to remove the other opener. Woldingham started to show fragility, with Danglers finally getting reward for consistently beating the bat, when Chand took a comfortable catch at second slip. Fortunately it was far enough away from Don to prevent him flapping it over the slips. Spud and Upkar added further wickets to put Woldingham firmly under the cosh at 43-5.
Woldingham then launched a fine rearguard action, with Tozer (83*) peppering the short boundary and getting good support from Raghulan and Fanthorpe. Crusaders began to look ragged in the field as the score mounted steadily and it was some relief when the declaration was made at 184-7.
Crusaders made the kind of positive start you would expect with Voda and Wajih opening. Jagdesh opened his account with a lofted drive towards the long on boundary from his first ball faced, signaling the start of a fearsome onslaught. After a couple of drops, Jagdesh departed for 48 including 5 fours and 2 sixes. Wajih was a little more restrained, playing a more orthodox opening role. He was eventually deceived by Crane, playing down the wrong line.
Woldingham nibbled away, removing Chand, Damon and Upkar, as Crusaders showed signs of snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. Fortunately Nita was holding firm, batting almost sensibly, mixing up big shots to the small side boundary, whilst keeping the strike with some good running. He came close to seeing us past the winning line, but eventually fell for a fine 68, with the score at 177-7. Alex and Danglers finished the game, as they had started it, knocking off the remainder with few alarms and fifteen balls to spare.
