Crowthorne & Crown Wood Cricket Club

On a glorious day at a resplendent looking St Seb’s, the hosts won the toss and put Twyford, plus or minus Ruscombe, into bat.  Some people wonder, “What Difference Does It Make?” but in the shorter 40 over win/lose format it really pays to chase.  A very solid first fifteen overs of bowling from Sussex and Finucane spread Panic through the Twyford top order, which was reduced to 40-odd for 4 at the 15 over drinks break.  Clearly the Crows attack wasn’t missing This Charman Man, as Dougie chose a day out at Twickers over another cap for the PRC.

Some wily bowling from DP and Nirav made light work of the Visitors’ middle order.  At 90-odd for 8 it once again seemed that Every Saturday Is Like Upadhyay.  Unfortunately, the oppositions tail started to wag until Kiwi took the biggest scalp (trapping former-Crow, Razz, leg before at the end of an eclectic over) and Jimmy Sussex returned to demolish the number eleven’s leg stump.

Crows’ dependable openers had an uncharacteristically bad day at the office against an excellent pace attack.  Bainesy was unsettled by some sledging from the slips and surrendered his wicket whilst still in single figures - Bigmouth Strikes Again.  With three down and only 20 runs on the board, Sheppard was waiting at the crease when Fitzroy Morrissey slipped Hand In Glove and strode to join him.  

Luckily the Twyford pace bowler was already knackered after his short spell and the skipper said, “Shiva Take A Blow!”  A formidable rearguard action ensued and a wonderful fourth wicket partnership of 85 put Crows right back in contention.  A classic Dave Shaw innings saw Crows home with the highlight being a four that was heading down Razz’s throat at long on before he decided to run underneath it at let it sail by.

A fantastic victory and a fully deserved baggy green for Fitz that puts Crows back in the familiar surroundings of mid table mediocrity and I promise no more Morrissey puns as That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore...