Match Report
Tuesday 26th July –v- Makro (Charlton) at Blackheath Wanderers (Ray Willis Trophy)
A late change of venue brought more than the usual problems of getting to the ground on time and as usual as six o'clock loomed we had just the select seven to defend our unbeaten record. Noskin Timms had managed to keep my black book of numbers so a dash to Avery Hill was necessary to meet the stragglers. Eventually we got started and the skip duly won the toss and elected to bat. Little did he or the rest of the side know what an historic evening was in store for Crusaders Cricket and the world game!
With the skip’s free scoring openers available his decision to bat was soon justified as the scoreboard ticked along merrily due to the solid partnership of Dave and Gordon. After Gordon was out with the score on-37, the skip played the anchor role to a succession of boundaries from Dave before he fell, attempting to repeat the dose for a fine 36. An excellent batting display was continued by Nathan (19) and latterly G.T. with a quick dozen, until the innings closed on 142 for 3, with the skip unbeaten on 43. The change round saw a second appearance behind the sticks for Neil M, with Gordon utilised to give us a good laugh with his multiple bouncing googlies. Jim and Nathan opened the bowling in confident style and though neither took wickets they managed to limit the scoring to 43 in the first 8 overs. Mark and Steve took over and despite Mark’s best efforts to throw the game with a ridiculous spell of bowling; the oppo capitulated, losing four wickets in quick succession. All this intense excitement was to take a back seat as Kevin Gibson began a spell that was to write a whole new chapter in the annals of Crusaders Cricket. Bowling from the Eltham Road End, after years in the cricketing wilderness, he finally found someone bad enough to get out to his tweakers. Starting with his usual portrayal of the Nash-Sobers confrontation, he then produced another of his stock deliveries -the leg-side full toss- which had the batsman in two minds as to which garden he was going to hit it into and by the time it had arrived he had tied himself into a rather nice sheepshank with two half hitches. Clearly rattled by this most deceptive of bowlers, he fell next ball, the victim of Kev’s even slower ball, well caught by Gordon. Kevin’s obvious delight set off a chain reaction, culminating in a full scale earthquake alert and it was several minutes before the Richter scale had calmed down enough for play to resume.
No sooner had play restarted when Gibbo struck again, clean bowling a youngster who immediately announced his retirement from cricket and voluntarily admitted himself to Bexley Mental Hospital. This wicket brought more tremors and falling masonry as Kevin danced another Apache jig. The Skip wisely rested Kev, having observed the remaining Makro players whimpering and drawing lots as to who would face this hostile bowler next.
No further wickets fell and it was felt to Vernon Tibbs to bowl the last over culminating in Makro finishing 15 runs short of the target.
Once again we found ourselves in the familiar role of Midweek victors as we moved our record to unbeaten in six. The euphoria of the Match, now remembered as Gibbo’s Game, spilled over into the bar, with Kev happy to buy beer for all, until it all became too much for him and he retired to bed, nursing the match bail between his thighs writhing in un-ashamed ecstasy. The select few that could handle the occasion moved on to the Crown, where talk of the Tour was the main topic of conversation.
This report is dedicated to the family, friends and relations of Master O'Flaherty who is in a stable condition after being transferred to Cane Hill Institution.
Pen Pictures
Dave Spence -Another sound opening performance -highlighted by two big 'Waitforit' sixes.
Gordon Schultz -Chose to field in Roller skates but still got a catch.
Spud Whale -Top scored with 43 and skippered magnificently despite cries for his resignation
Nathan Probets -Fine all round display - featuring in a fifty stand with the skip.
Vernon Tibbs -Had strange notion that he was Viv Richards/Sidney Poitier rolled into one
Jim Clements -Bowling defied his intellect -Showed fine football skills, chesting down a catch
Mark Paine – Real no-hoper bowling somehow got him four wickets – must have been watching Darren
Steve Lewis – Bowled a series of well disguised wrong uns’ that got unfair treatment – seemed to gain most enjoyment smacking Mark’s bottom each time he took a wicket
Darren Moyse – Seems to encounter huge problems when asked to slow his bowling down and must surely expect the Midweek Axe to fall soon
Kevin Gibson – If he could reproduce bowling like that each week there soon wouldn’t be a club left willing to play us – Marvellous
Neil Morrison – Must have been installed as Sumo Champion Elect after Body-Checking Steve Lewis to the floor attempting a catch; Yashamoto I believe. Displayed the finesse of a runaway train – Bring back Gordon
