SCORECARD

Singh’s Wings cause chaos in Presidential draw (ers)

Months in the planning. Weeks of banter. Days of our lives. Celebrating our Presidents’ 60 ebullient years on this (despite flat suggestions) spherical globe, a hodgepodge of Fitmen assembled to do battle on the Ashfield (dry and crumbly) Field of dreams.
As always, the selection of an assemblage of middle aged Journeymen cricketers, in a given place at a pre-arranged time, never turns out to be easy. As it was, 30 amateur “players” made it in time for a 2PM start.

The weather was set to fair. Barometer readings in Admiral Frost’s company schooner, foretold of no rain and despite having no clue who his crew were, called heads and won the toss.

BetHABIB had the Fitmen to bat first @ 1/1000 and so it was that alas, Hall and Jones were inserted to the middle. Il Duce, handing the tiller to Frost had caused a tremor in the changing rooms. However, with loved ones called to set expectation levels of, “don’t expect me home before dark” everyone was ready to go.

The BBQ, the draught IPA, Guinness, Wines of both denomination and Carling of Gav, may have led to a slight delay in proceedings, whilst assembled masses hauled on decade old musty whites. Once Ben Jowett had a fresh cherry in his hands, for the first time in years, the expectation levels were cranked up to somewhere between “I hope I don’t hurt myself and lets have it”…level 60. The next half hour of cricket, was exceptional.

BJ opened up with only a no-ball and bye in his first over. Somethings never change. As expected, Paul Marsh’s first over in 3 years instantly hit the parsimonious line and length we demand, begrudgingly allowing 2 runs. Over 3, Jowett comprehensively castles Hall for 6 and the Presi-tails are up. Over 4, Marsh lures Harris into cut and Tom Houlgate snaffles the pro…11-2. Jones thwacks a boundary before getting a half tracking scooter from Ben. 16-3. Sweet Jesus. Marsh and Jowett Maidens, 20-3 off 8. Superb start. I wish I’d been a fly on the wall to see what Frost had said to elicit such an amazing start. Something to do with the need for imminent life Insurance, knowing Jim.

Rich Bice and Harry steadied the Fitship for a bit before Ollie Ringer pouched both in consequetive overs. 38-5. In at 6, Spicy Singh was next in, for the first time in years asked to bed in and not blast everything. Impossible! After two boundaries in 3 balls, Sunny foolishly allowed the ball to hit his pads. After a 15 second appeal from the lesser stuttering Howes, Sunny getting ready to face his next ball was given out LBW. 51-6.

Sharif in next faced 8 balls before being caught out, quite superbly, by Frost. Despite extensive knee issues, it was a beautifully plucked catch. 57-7 after 15. Stuff of dreams/nightmares.

What we’ve all been taught by skippers we’ve had the pleasure to be captained by in decades of cricket, is the Corinthian spirit of cricket. Def: An especially high standard of sportsmanship. Allowing Tucker and Martin to make a game/day of it will never be forgot. Tucker tickling a 20 ball 50 on his way to a subtle 64 off 28 was like the Baldrick Blackadder poem “Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom”. Once Tucker was caught out by the friendly neighbourhood, lesser tailed David Vermin and Fraz again trapped by Vermin the game tipped back in the Presidents favour. 127-9

I’d hope a 65 10th wicket partnership was up there in the Fit annuls (long lost to memory), but despite shouts of “Boring” and despite the best efforts of the Chairman 4-2-7-0 and Rodders 0-8, Steve 1-17 and Will 2-15, the Fitmen managed to post a respectable 205 for 11. Stu Moulds wag of 11 off 33 will live long in the memory.

As will the tea. The amount and quality of potato salad prepared could only be surpassed by the daytime fireworks (ordered by Jack C, getting the BST all wrong – Nice touch though JC). The standard/good tea Fit tea was abetted and aided by some sensational chicken wings. Delivering a batch of fiery intensity fit for such an occasion. “I can’t feel my face” should be the benchmark of all future teas IMOO. Cake was abundant. A dozen different varieties. An extra Cake Break was appreciated/needed by all just to have a chance of singing Happy Birthday il Duce, whilst deciding on fresh cream or icing for the next hit.

Here endeth Part 1. Part 2 Match report to be filed under the Presidents stats in game above on website

Thanks go to Ian Vesey, chief photographer for Photos of The Day.