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Fixtures and Results | Match Reports

Date Against H/A Link Result Captain/Score
Wed 18 / 6 / 2014 Mermaids Home (YW) Won by 29 runs. Old Mo 143-4. Oppo 114-7.

SCORECARD

From Dirty Dozen to Dad’s Army

Old Moseley Arms Fitmen 143-4, Mermaids 114-7

Old Mo win by 29 runs

On a balmy evening at the Graveyard the Fitmen entertained our old friends, the Mermaids, on the same pitch that had yielded 460+ runs on Sunday.

Upon losing the toss the Fitmen were invited to bat and the progress to a competitive total was largely untroubled, though Howarth did fall to a catch at extra cover in only the 3rd over. Richard “Bomber” Harris and Riachard Bice then progressed serenely to add 73 for the second wicket before Harris was caught behind. Il Capitano, debutant Dr Jamil and Sharif then accompanied Bice first past his 50 and then to 69 not out to set a target of 144. On a slow wicket and with a lush outfield this was felt to be a competitive target.

The Mermaids set off on their journey to the target with gusto; the opening batsman Sully plundering 14 quick runs before falling to a smart stumping by Tom Houlgate off Sharif. At the other end, Ash provided a fine display of swing and seam bowling, perhaps being slightly unlucky to finish with only 1 for 20 from his 4 overs.

Though the Mermaids were always slightly behind the run rate, a succession of dropped catches (list of shame will remain under the statutes of the Official Secrets Act) allowed their No.4 Haroon to keep them in the game until Taz (“I’m really a batsman”) Yousaf teased him out of his ground to allow Tom his 2nd stumping, capping a fine display behind the timbers. Star bowlers of the evening were Geraint Evans, who in the critical middle period of the Mermaids innings only yielded 18 from his 4 overs and Taz, who finished up with 3 for 17.

It was inexplicable therefore, that with a climbing required run rate, panic began to set in amongst “certain” amongst the Fitmen ranks, reminiscent of Corporal Jones of Dads Army . Il Capitano stuck to his plans however, providing a miniscule oasis of calm amidst the tumult, such that by the final over 33 runs were required for a Mermaids victory. This failed to result and Geraint Evans capped a fine performance with a catch off the penultimate ball to give Sharif a deserved second wicket.

A thoroughly enjoyable match and an enjoyable post-match session to gloat over the fact that Spain had been eliminated from the World Cup before England. What odds might you have got for that at the bookies?