We, the fitmen, use cookies. By continuing to browse our site you agree to our use of cookies.

Click here to accept and remove this message. How do we use cookies?

Fixtures and Results | Match Reports

Date Against H/A Link Result Captain/Score
Sun 13 / 5 / 2012 Lapworth Away Won by 68 runs. Old Mo 220-9. Oppo 152

SCORECARD


After rainfall of biblical proportions, finally on the 13th of May the Fitmen season got underway at the splendid Lapworth ground. Upon winning the toss the Lapworth captain decided to field in 0.2 seconds (just slightly over the time it took Raj to trigger Sharif – but more of that later), as the track did look a touch sticky and with a drying wind, batting would obviously become easier as the day progressed.

Club veterans Howarth and Butcher ambled out to the middle with the task of delivering a solid start. What was then witnessed over the next 90 minutes went beyond laying down a foundation stone for the innings. When you go 20 feet or so under the soil you will naturally meet bedrock – the solid rock which underlies all loose material…well keep going down past dinosaur fossils, through the mantle and then, and only then, will you be at the level where the next few partnerships anchored the rest of the day.

The bowling was tight. Butcher’s characteristic cuts earned singles rather than fours on a lush outfield. Howarth took his time getting to grips with the sluggish pitch but did manage to nudge bad balls into gaps to keep the score creeping along. Extra’s were top scoring with ease. It was that sort of day. Butcher was out LBW missing a straight one bringing Tahir to the crease. Mr T (I ain’t getting on no plane fool) had looked very good in the fast and bouncy Edgbaston nets but this pitch was a different beast. Runs were at a premium and the ever watchful Howarth just managed to keep his score level with the overs bowled. At drinks it was 60 for 2 with Tahir having missed his 32nd delivery out Bowled, Howarth had raced to a club record unbeaten 18.

This was stuff of legend.

They say a week is a long time in politics, well an hour is a long time watching the Fitmen. Green needing 14 runs for his 2 part 50 (having retired in last year’s fixture) went in determined to step on the gas. His 21 runs along with Howarth finally throwing off the shackles delivered a much needed impetus. When these 2 legends of the game departed to the club house an ever nervous Tuckerrr strode to the crease to earn his ‘Tiger stripes’ with the Bristol bound Harris not long after. Tucker delivered his trademark hoick over the square boundary ropes before being caught and then a very unfortunate Sharif middled a ball onto his pads only for Raj to raise the finger of doom in a quite incredible speed (the bowler had yet to appeal!).

Captain for the day Martin looking a touch ‘under cooked’ on the old aerobic fitness regime was then subjected to 20 minutes of pure lung bleeding hell. Richard “I go to the gym 8 times a week” Harris, who is more than capable of smiting the ball to the boundary, decided to pick out the weaker fielders, ensuring a partnership of 80 off 6 over’s containing 8 3’s, 10 2’s and a whole glut of ‘quick’ singles. Horrible.

Martin, out ‘Cardiac Arrest’, gave Ash 2 balls to get his eye in, which he then generously gave 1 ball to Raj to run himself out going for a 4th run. Final score 220 for 9.

This reporter can’t really remember the Tea interval due to blurred vision/palpitations but Man C. did manage to win the League in dramatic fashion and by all accounts the cream sponge was excellent.

Refreshed the Lapworth openers faced some fine bowling from Ash and Raj. Raj swinging the ball away into the breeze was hugely unlucky not to grab a couple, whilst Ash grabbed 2 excellent wickets with some accurate and quick stuff. First change brought on Harris and Sharif who again both bowled well but the Lapworth number 4 was batting really well on his way to 86. Harris was a touch eratic but cleaned bowled 2, then at drinks step up last years Bowler of the Year, Ian Nutt, to delight all assembled with some breath taking spin bowling. His 2-37 contained a slow spinning peach to clean bowl one of the middle order. Captain Martin then threw down some off peg stuff to bag the number 4 and essentially end the contest before the tail doggedly stuck around for as long as possible.

Ash picked up his 3rd wicket and Sharif got another to bring a lovely afternoon to a close and a win by 50 odd runs.

Farewell Harris! Good luck on your South West adventure.