SCORECARD

Hawk Power. All hail Hawk.

Biblical thunder storms foretold of things to come.
The Sultry atmosphere pre-match, could be replaced by the phrase, Sweaty Fitmen fester in humid claggy conditions
Skipper for the evening R.Harris won the toss and with cold beer and 26 degree heat in mind, elected to bat. Our erstwhile opener Gavlar, had been assessing humidity levels locally most of the afternoon. Taking on 2 litres of fluids and a G&T, pre match, should be in the Fitmen fitness manual, especially if your opening against the cream of an oppositions attack.

With the Mermaids number 5 entered onto the batting line up as Dr Hussey, so it was that Dr Hall and Mo opened up. With timing difficult on a sticky, variable wicket Gavlar pulled his way to 14 with 3 fours, before being out caught by an excellent one handed catch. 35 partnership with Mo in just 5 overs.

Skip next in, was quality as always, once he managed to get on strike. A very impressive 89 partnership in just 9 overs. All manner of shots played and bowler’s figures ruined. Some excellent running and tactical rotation of strike. It was like watching 2 grandmasters in their pomp, guiding last ball of the over for a single. Mo running 3 threes, as well as 10 fours and a six in a monster 72 off 50. Harris 47 off just 28, equally thunderous.

With barometer readings set to “Changeable” Bit of cloud cover. Skip out caught and Mo retired, allowed Sadheva and Moore to the middle. Chas with a run a ball 9, had to play second fiddle to what happened next.

Sam Moore “I think it’s knocked in now”, a nonchalant leg side flick of the hawk, precise enough to hit the metal fencing, so the ball was back in play quickly for another 6 somewhere else on the ground. Straight 6 onto the golf course? Over the trees, tick. 12 balls of utter Hawk power. Moore’s timing obviously had an influence, but I’m sure these bats will be banned in the future, such is their ability to score 35 off a dozen balls with a single 4 and 4 Sixes. Just 3 dots. It wasn’t bad bowling, just 20 minutes of utter carnage. A S/R of 291.

Stevie Nichols kept his Not Out run going, thankful for not being asked to retire on 2 and the Fitmen had posted a pretty daunting 188-3.

The last Home T20 game of the season, always a memorable evening. With only 2 midweek games to go, Mid-week trophies are up for grabs. The glory boy batsmen have their own shizzle going on, but we all know the hard yards of T20 cricket is trying not to get tonked to all parts and lose the game. So it was that with a 5 way tie for midweek bowler, led Faraz and Jonesy to open up. Jonesy struck first in the 10th ball of the innings. A more casual overhead catch by Gavlar, you will never see the like of. Great take. With Faraz bowling tightly and Jonesy snagging another wicket, with a well held catch from Chas, it was with a look of horror that the big lad was asked to take a rest. Only 3 skipper? Titles on the line?

Stu and Sharif, licking their lips sensing opportunity steamed/ambled in respectively looking for cheap wickets. None were to be found. Stu after one bad over only allowed 13 off 3, whilst Sharif seemed to be enjoying himself lobbing up half volleys trying to buy wickets. With his fellow title challengers in key catching positions (and Faraz at fine leg), suggestions were made that certain individuals weren’t trying hard enough to take catches. Spread bet markets have been suspended. There won’t be any action taken. Nor committee members informed. Game on next Thursday! George Dawes out of the title picture, just hanging on to a mid-week economy rate mention in dispatches, managed to snaffle 2 key wickets

The Mermaids, always amiable guests, posted 134 for 5 some 50 runs short. With excellent curried food taken on-board across the road, a good end to our evenings at Ashfield.