Match Report
Crusaders looked like a team that had spent most of the previous two days in the pub, as they took the field at an overcast Otford. Decimated by injury and absentees, those hoping for a rest day were drafted back in and we were supplemented to a full eleven by Sukhi and Hurry Singh, who took turns to field.
Pommie called correctly and opted to field, offering Moyse and Taylor the new cherry. It looked like it would be a long and fruitless afternoon, as the Beechwood openers raised fifty with few alarms. Pommie brought himself on and almost immediately got rid of Morris (40) with an in-swinging yorker. With Spud replacing the weary Mike, Crusaders started to get a footing in the game, with the run rate dropping dramatically. A similar ball from Pommie removed the dangerous McLachlan, whilst Spud managed to get one through Hill's defences.
Jabs took over from Pommie and found the perfect line from the 'Horse Field End', regularly dropping it on the slope just outside off-stump - something that Moyse and Singh P seemed incapable of doing. His seven over spell yielded 2 for 23. Inevitably our out-cricket deteriorated as the innings drew towards a close, with too many people willing the clock to 4.30. Pogose and McCrea took full advantage of our lethargy, adopting a tip and run policy to which we had little answer. This enabled Beechwood to raise a score of 159-6 at the tea-time declaration. After an excellent tea, particularly the cup of tea, we set about our reply.
It was 'chalk and cheese' at the top of the order, with the expansive Jagdesh partnering the tedium that is Moysey. Pommie was rightly looking for solidity at the start and Moysey was in no mood to disappoint. Tins of paint were issued to the watching hordes - most opted to watch it dry. Beechwood's opening bowlers made better use of the facilities and with a well set field we struggled to get going. Jagdesh eventually ran out of patience, mis-timing a pull-shot to be caught at mid-on. Chand followed soon after, which brought Jabir to the crease. After a patient start he started to put bat to ball, dispatching anything dropped short. Moysey was next to go out for a valuable 33, offering a return catch to McCrea.
Johnny G offered stout support to Jabs and for a time it looked like we might make a fist of the target. Alas when Jabs holed out to deep mid-wicket for 45 our aspirations moved towards saving, rather than winning the game.
With Beechwood scenting victory, fielders were posted around the bat. Pommie fell to an ill-conceived sweep and Lucky was cleaned up by Morris for 3
Spud joined Damon at the crease and they looked to have weathered the storm, before Gramopadyn found a bit of extra bounce and Dave could only fend it to Silly Point. Mike successfuly negotiated the remainder of the over, leaving Spud the final over to defend. With only a very keen Sukhi Singh to come, surely Spud wouldn't completely miss a straight long hop and get bowled - indeed he did. So with three balls to face Sukhi, resplendent in the smallest 'whites' we could find and protected by a loaned helmet, strode to the crease for his debut Crusaders innings. With a Singh at the crease, the smart money was on a duck. It seems the 'nouveau' Singhs' have a little bit more back-bone and ability than the present crop. An immaculate 'leave' to the first ball he faced bemused the Wicket-keeper and trundled away for a scrambled bye, bringing huge relief to Spud and a return to strike for Mr Taylor. Two balls successfully negotiated and the game ended in a draw, with Crusaders hanging on at 105-9.
