Match Report
Crusaders began the new season with a Fixture Bureau game against Old Rutlishians, that wasn’t finalised until Friday morning. Social-Secretary and general Club Superstar Jabz, swung into action and with the power of mobile telecommunication we quickly assembled an eleven. Our opponents ply their trade in the Surrey Championship and were originally expecting a visit from Banstead to start their season, so the game was certain to be a test.
Wajih had retained the captaincy and to the amazement of all, was first to arrive at the ground, a full hour before the start time. The rest of the team slowly materialised, with Chand and Mo completing our eleven, after braving the Northern Line.
Old Ruts won the toss and had little hesitation in taking first knock, in what was to be a timed game. The pitch was firm, but with plenty of grass and the outfield a little bumpy, with an inviting short boundary on the clubhouse side.
Pommie and Jabz were entrusted with the new ball and despite Pommie’s first ball disappearing to the boundary, generally bowled well. Debutant Faisal Bhatti made the initial breakthrough, with Pemberton feathering a catch through to Dave behind the stumps. After that Spud and Chand each took wickets, but our hosts had put themselves into a strong position. Riches (Saturday 1st Vice-Capt) had looked relatively untroubled, scoring at a steady pace and having passed three figures he retired. Our fielding that had been reasonable up to about the 25 over point, suddenly started to become shabby, with a number of dropped chances helping Old Ruts to amass 87 runs in the last 8 overs. Pommie returned to the attack to remove Gray for 40 and the Old Ruts skipper was happy to declare, with Crusaders requiring 236 for victory in about two and a half hours.
If we were to get anywhere near the target, it would require patient batting to see off the new ball. The nearest Wajih had come to Nets over the winter was probably a trip to a curtain shop with the Missus – and it showed. A third ball duck was not the start we were looking for. Price and Cooper bowled well for the hosts and Crusaders struggled to make any headway. At 21 overs all thoughts of victory had been extinguished as we crumbled to 51-6. To their credit Old Ruts played to the spirit of the game, introducing some leisurely spin, whilst Crusaders eyed the possibility of salvaging a draw.
A resolute rear-guard action was duly launched by Jabs and The Claw. Whilst Jabs mixed elegant flicks off the pads with some reserved defensive play, John was doggedly dull. The pair added a mind-numbingly dour 49, which occupied 17 overs and all but guaranteed honours would be shared.
Old Ruts returned to pace and almost immediately John squirted one to gully, followed soon after by Day, caught in the same area slashing at a wide ball. Spud, who had been reasonably relaxed scoring the game, now, had to give Pommie a whistle-stop briefing on how to score, before padding up. Fortunately Tabs managed to keep his castle intact, while Uncle passed fifty at the other end and our innings closed on 127-8 from 45 overs.
