Crusaders vs Burnham

The Crusaders were at home to Burnham On Sea at the CSCG which was to be their toughest challenge so far this season. John Ponte lost the toss, good to see things returning to normal, and unsurprisingly Burnham chose to bowl. After the early losses of Jacob Arscott (9) and Toby Stone (2) emergency opener Jon Eamer and in form Richard Hoddinott set about repairing the innings. Mixing some deft touches with brutal belligerence and not to mention some extreme good fortune to ensure the inninings was repaired, Eamer falling for a super 53 and Hoddinott a magnificent and entertaining 62. Cameos from Matt Kingdom (23) and Jake Harris (11) helped the final total to a competitive 185-8 off the full 45 overs.

By now the afternoon was bathed in sunshine as both teams enjoyed the sumptuous banquet that was tea.....and again a colossal thanks to Liz and Len for their great tea.

Burnham in reply made a steady start before George Loker made the breakthrough dismissing one of their dangerous openers, his opening spell of 1-20 was a great effort. At the other Matt "Hoggy" Kingdom was bowling beautifully with no luck. After the opening overs Burnham settled in to an unhurried run chase and always looked untroubled. Despite the out of sorts Ponte (1-31) and the ever persevering Kingdom (1-21) picking up a wicket each the Burnham middle order powered on eventually and deservedly winning the game by 7 wickets with plenty of overs in hand, despite 9 different bowlers being used by the Crusaders.

Finally many many thanks to all our ground staff, Woody and Hoddy for getting us a grass wicket prepared after for much of the week looking like we would have to play on the artificial......all efforts were much appreciated.

Man of the match - Richard Hoddinott