Match Report
It was ‘runs for fun’ on Sunday, as Crusaders made the most of a perfect batting strip and fast outfield at Dunmow, recording a Club record 308-5 from their allotted overs. Wajih led from the front recording a th century and with all the top order making double figure contributions there was no let up for Dunmow’s beleaguered bowling attack. Our hosts made a valiant chase, but any hopes of victory dissipated with the dismissal of Sedman (68) that gave John Rana his maiden club wicket.
On a glorious sun-drenched afternoon, few were surprised that the skip was still negotiating the M11 when start time approached and Spud was relieved to win the toss. He had no hesitation, even withstanding the oft seen fragility of the Crusaders batting line-up in taking first use. Gajinder and Himanshu opened up and were soon demonstrating that anything well hit and wide of a fielder was likely to find its way to the boundary. Unfortunately both players, having made a start did not go on to maximise the conditions. With the skip strangely subdued, the third wicket partnership of 68 was dominated by some free flowing strikes from Goldie, who continued his recent run of good form with a brisk 40. Wajih gradually found his range and was offered solid support from G Man (11) and Shakil (23), as the scoring rate began to escalate. Dunmow rotated their bowlers, desperately searching for a formula that would both slow the scoring and take wickets, but they encountered a remorseless Crusaders. The last ten overs yielded a 100 run partnership between Abdul Tariq (31) on debut and the Skip, with the latter ‘firing up the afterburners’ to breeze through three figures, finishing undefeated on 119.
Dunmow made a decent fist of the chase, but after Spud had removed opener Coupe. T in the first over, they were always up against it. Wajih was able to give John Rana and Loepreet an extended bowl, with their final analyses not a true indication of how well they had bowled; Dunmow finishing on 217-9 from 40 overs.
