Match Report
Crusaders slaughtered at Flanders Field
Crusaders suffered the ignominy of a ten wicket defeat at the hands of the Newham Dogs in the first 20/20 match of the season. With what appeared a reasonable eleven on paper we underperformed with both bat and ball and suffered a comprehensive defeat. Batting first, Chand gave us an explosive start with a quick-fire 39 that should have been the launch pad to a big score. Unfortunately it never materialised and too many of our batsman perished through poor shot selection. The Dogs set a good field and bowled to it, holding the catches that came their way, whilst we played out too many dot balls. A solid 27 from Day and a blustery 22 from Spud carried the final total to 126, but it always looked at least thirty runs light.
Newham Dogs made light work of the target aided by some inaccurate Crusaders bowling. It was unanimously decided that stand-in Captain Dave was to blame, due to another missed stumping, off debutant Zeeshan Mahmood that would probably have turned the game.
War poet Col. John Macrae better described the aftermath of Flanders Field
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
