Match Report
Sunday 9 June -v-Old Colfeians at Eltham Road
Crusaders, not for the first time, managed to turn probable victory towards likely defeat, before the final pairing batted out for a draw. Against a backdrop of persistent drizzle, Gord lost the toss and we inevitably found ourselves squelching in the field. Despite a wet ball, we generally bowled well and kept a cordon of chattering statues next to the wicket-keeper for most of the afternoon. Richard bowled his version of spin from a long run-up and Simon nagged away on a length, occasionally getting punished for bowling too full a length. Danglers replaced 'The Oz' and immediately Seaman Timms was called into action at 'Second Concrete –Post’. His leg-flicking parry to third-man was a valiant effort, though perhaps a small movement to his right would have been enough to remove the opener. Moysey got the message and decided that the corridor of uncertainty might lead to the outside edge of the bat, but the likelihood of the catching quartet moving, let alone catching it, was nil. This tactic bore fruit, with the young opener and Sunni 'only the hat makes me look like him' Gaviscon, having the furniture displaced. Spud took same tap into the `cow' region, before finally removing the irritant and Timmo bowled some tiptoe fanny stuff that got it's just desserts. Bill, who had taken the game of ‘Simon Says’ far too seriously, not having moved a muscle at first slip, was eventually despatched to the gully, where in attempting to avoid a cut shot he inadvertently put his hand in the way. As was the nature of the day the chance did not stick. Old Colfeians eventually decided we had suffered enough, declaring at 147 for five, with the opener undefeated on 60
The weather did not improve, but GT and Darth had little trouble putting bat to ball and we accumulated 41 in the first twelve overs, before Jim played around a straight one. Richard maintained the scoring rate and even when Glen played hideously across the line, there appeared no signs for alarm. In just under an hour of madness we managed to lose seven more wickets for the addition of 44 runs, whilst elevating the journeyman spinner, to Murali levels. All hope of victory evaporated, leaving the 'Dour duo' of Moyse and Whale to maintain Gord's unbeaten reign as skipper, comfortably batting out time.
