SCORECARD

Following a heavy session of ale consumption, a grizzled Fit xi arrived for the annual tour fixture against Herefordians. Again, the key to winning this match would come down to getting their 'star' player out out before he wreaked too much damage (a century last year for example).
Inserted in to bat on a seaming wicket, Captain Howarth took on the responsibility to anchor the innings with fellow anchor Sharif, who after winning man of tour in 2010, had so far won Moaner of the Tour 2011 (its too cold/windy blah blah blah).
The opening attack bowled good line and length and gave few run scoring opportunities. The run rate spluttered around the 2.5 mark when it need to be nearer the 5 mark to build a defendable target. The first change brought more tight bowling and supported by good fielding, finally both openers ran out of patience and departed for 23 apeice. The heroes of the previous day, Butcher and Harris both then were dismissed for Ducks - what a difference a day makes...and a Fit collapse was on the cards. Luckily Green and Frost stopped the rot with a good middle order partnership, although both found scoring difficult. Jim Frost had applied a liberal amount of super glue to his cricket spikes prior to the match to ensure absolutely no foot movement was possible, and in a scene similar to Tendulka's dismissal at Edgbaston, Green was run out off the bowlers fingers following a straight hoick from concrete feet down the other end. The arrival of Jonny H snr got the crowd on their feet, and a delightful carve through point was the highlight of a masterful 3.
Never one to hang around, Martin decided to give it a slap, and after being dropped on 2 went onto score 36 off 25 balls enduring some quick stuff from the annoyed star man. Frost carried his bat to finish on 25 off 40 balls, with the Fitmen finishing on 163-6 probably 30 short of a good score.
As always, an excellent tea was laid on by very amiable hosts - although as always talk turned to the legendary Rose wine from years past. (perhaps we should take some next year lads eh?)
Raj the younger of the 2 old swingers - the other being the evergreen Paul Swampy Marsh, bowled tightly to start with, but once the opener was nurdled out, the big bat strode to the crease. The bowling statistics show a tale of 2 halves. Those who were thraped included Sharif, Strickers, Raj - not through bad bowling, just who they were bowling at. The 2nd half, once (very sportingly) the star man retired on 60 odd to allow others a chance, saw Nutt and Martin bowl well and grab 2 wickets apeice. 2 excellent peices of fielding by Green and Butcher both claimed run out fantasy bonus points, and when Butcher grabbed a wicket late on - with the oppo' 7 down needing 10 to win, could a fantastic come back be on?
The answer was no. A youthful Herefordian side deserved their victory with a more energetic fielding display which is hardly surprising following the gallons of ale, bushels of herb and combined efforts of the chemical brothers to lower everyone's hand eye coordination skills.
Man of Tour was awarded to A.Martin for 4 wickets, a catch and an unbeaten 36, although my personal vote went to R.Harris for blagging VIP passes into the local Nightclub and free Jagerbombs on Sunday night. Everyone agreed, a fantastic job had been done by Simon for putting on another fantastic tour which was enjoyed by all.
Footnote to N.Jewitt if you are reading this - the sausage quality at the B and B is still of the same standard....