Match Report
Sunday 8 September -v- The Grove at Hall Place, Bexley
We went into the game on a high, from successive wins and looked forward to completing the season on a victorious note. Once again a strong line-up could find no place for Limp Timms, as we piled on more runs. Another 200+ score featured useful contributions from Darkie and Duckie, but the mains stays were Daz 77 and Neil Clark 66, who broke the longest standing Club record partnership, putting on 114 for the third wicket, thus eclipsing the 104 made by Timms and Chapman.N in 1985.Danglers fine innings took him through 500 runs for the season, joining Steve'Rhino'Lewis as the only Crusader to achieve this feat. It soon became apparent that a target of 218 to win was well beyond The Grove, who after losing quick wickets to the pace and accuracy of Daz and Steve M, set about salvaging pride and a draw. Despite rotating his bowlers Spud could find no way to penetrate the resilient rearguard action that Grove put up. Indeed towards the end of play it seemed that far too many of the team had their hearts and minds firmly entrenched in the Black Horse, to care two hoots what the result was. The game petered into a very tame draw, with Grove scoring only 15 runs in the last twenty overs, but fortunately the lure of excellent Wadworths dulled any animosity this dull play may have caused.
An extremely pleasant evening was had, with a large presence remaining in the garden to a late hour. Even Steve Martin had a drink and there were no medals on offer.
Pen Pics
MP-More runs for the stroppy fellow
JB-Broke disappointing run of zeros with a belligerent 2
DM-Seemed more interested in the Wadworths than any records he may have broken.
NC -Rattled a third fifty, but not enough to top the averages.
GS -Finally looked comfortable with the bat; it helps when you hold it the right way round Gordy.
NM-Had just enough time to register a six.
SM -Awaiting the count back to see if he has won the bowling award
JC-Gained some valuable bowling practice.
SG-Joined the queue of eager bowlers
CW-Needs some serious dieting if he is to gain selection next year
SW- Marvellous Wadworths - Absolutely marvellous.
