Match Report
Sunday 18 August -v- Edenbridge at Blossoms Park
Some records tumbled and some records were probably denied, as Crusaders piled on the runs at Edenbridge. Gordy’s very individual style of Captaincy made for an entertaining afternoon's cricket, with honours just about even at the close of play. Richard and Jim rattled up 208 unbroken runs, to post both the largest first wicket stand and the highest partnership for any club wicket. This was deemed after some persuasion, enough for an early declaration, allowing us an extra 25 minutes to bowl out the opposition. Richard added another 124 in pursuit of the club record for runs in a season, but was denied the time to surpass it and also the probability that he would also have beaten Jim's 134 record individual innings in the process. Gordon was talked out of a declaration at about 180, which would have presented our hosts with about 3 hours of batting with which to reach the target. With Simon and Chuckles opening the bowling that target would have been reached in just over an hour. I have witnessed some dismal opening spells in twenty seasons at the club, but I can recall none as poor as this. (Apology - forgot Moysey's recent 4 over stint at Carhampton) Within a dozen overs Edenbridge had put about seventy on the board and amazingly someone had managed to get themselves out. From a position of strength we had regressed to trying to save the game, with our hosts requiring little more than four per over, with nine wickets in hand. There was a fair amount of disconsolate body language and our lone spectator Darkie Paine couldn't seem to believe what he was witnessing. Timmo and Spud were introduced and gradually pegged back the scoring rate, causing some desperate shots, which led to a rash of dismissals. With both bowlers picking up three victims each, there was a brief period when it looked like we might again assume the ascendancy. Edenbridge never gave up the run chase, but their latter batsmen couldn't put bat to ball effectively enough and we were unable to take any more wickets. Edenbridge finished 21 runs short with three wickets intact.
