Match Report
Saturday 13 June –v- Fulbeck at Fulbeck
Crusaders embarked on their third weekend tour to Lincolnshire, lacking a little in numbers, but graced with some female company, with newly weds Wajih and Pommie preferring the night time company of their wives rather than 'Rustling Gord' or 'Legover White'. Amazingly there were no great navigational issues and we had all arrived by about eleven. Fulbeck had got a barrel of Tom Woods Lancaster Bomber in and all was well with the world, while Johnny G and Nita had enjoyed a candle-lit Thai dinner. We finished our evening in the Hare and Hounds with Indian sweets providing some sustenance for Damon and Spud, who had at that point survived on Pork Scratchings and Revels.
Wajih had obviously negotiated breakfast in bed, whilst the rest of the tour party made the short walk from room to pub. Saturday morning was spent perusing the Car Boot sale, before Spud led a small expedition to the Houblon Arms at Oasby. Glorious sunshine and Fine ale was the perfect recipe for an afternoon's entertainment against Fulbeck. Fulbeck produced their usual mix of young and recreational cricketers, while several Crusaders were nursing their heads having discovered the Tom Wood's weighed in at 4.8 per cent.
Fulbeck offered us first knock and Wajih extended his dismal form with the bat, falling in the first over for a duck, much to the dismay of Bahar. He then spent a painful ten minutes explaining to Bahar why the disruption of his stumps meant he would be spending more time with her, before strolling arm in arm off into the sunshine. Gord, Nita and Pommie formed the back-bone of our innings as we recovered from the early set back to be in a strong position at drinks. Unfortunately we fell away in the second twenty overs and failed to use our full quota.
Damon was looking to extend his fine form with the bat, but all good things have to come to an end, as he managed to score a run. Shalu Uppal made her debut for the club and will hopefully coach her new husband to play with as straight a bat. Fulbeck graciously allowed Wajih to bat again and Wajih made life easy for the statisticians by succumbing equally lamely second time around. At the close of our innings we had scored 143 all out.
Pommie and Jabs made light work of the top order, with Pommie working up a decent pace, inducing an edge that was superbly caught by Spud at slip. Fulbeck fought valiantly, but with all Crusaders bowlers producing the goods the result was rarely in doubt. Spud and Wajih took three wickets each and the match was tied up by 'leading' bowler White.
After a few post match beers we headed for Grantham to The Ghorkas Indian Restaurant for a tour dinner. Uncle had words with the waiter and the food and service was excellent. Alas the late decision to eat out caused us to return too late for our Whisky tasting evening in The George at Leadenham and also too late for beers in the hotel.
