SCORECARD

Fitmen victorious in sun drenched thriller

29 Fitmen unavailable for selection due to Eid/family/holiday/apathy/lily white skin, led to an esoteric XII turning up (eventually) to Rushall CC for a game against Walsall Health, who normally give us a competitive game and so it was to be again.
Now Rushall is a good 18 miles from HQ and with windows fully down in 28Oc heat, this reporters car missed the green gates (with no sign) and overshot to Pelsall CC just over a mile along the road. “Excuse me mate, just wondering if we’ve got the right club?” half shouted to a chap lounging on a bench. “Hi Ade” says James (Arm of Thor) Tasker, “I think you’ve got the wrong ground”. WTF? The Fitmen seed is spread far and wide. Tasker representing Chubbly Village 1st’s, re-directed us back from whence we came.

Now I pinky promise not to go on about the significance of winning the toss EVER again, but Ye Gods it was a scorcher. Baked outfield. Dusty track. Heads, North of Brum, Hangover from hell following Gavlar’s send off, F….F…Bat…has be up there with best toss win ever.

In-form Mould and 1.5 average Sharif shuffled out to the desert of a square, with promises of drinks every 10 overs. There was no discernible difference between track and outfield. Stephens, a wily medium pacer delivered the spell of the day 8-2-12-2, causing all who faced him problems. He did for Sharif caught at mid off and then Stevie Nicks for a rare golden. Bowled round his legs. We were reeling.
Maybe we all could do with a little advice and counselling every now and then. No matter what age, creed or countenance, no one is ever right. Cricket is the perfect format for change. Whoever has had a word in Stuart Moulds shell like, needs a mention in next years honours list. Confidence trick? Asked to open. No problem skip. As all others floundered, 4 maximums 5 4’s. Chanced his arm. Bowled on 48. Decent effort.

Tucker senior was out caught by a brilliant one handed catch for 16 off 27 balls, whilst Tony Thaper was deceived by a straight one which brought Monty to the crease. Cheeky single and out, meant he’s still duck free. Who else can say that in their Fit Career? Well apart from a certain Kev Cuthbert on debut. What a performance. Toughed it out for the first 13 balls without scoring, then started moving his feet and smashed a 6 and four 4’s for a run a ball 35. Skip stuck around and managed 9 boundaries in a chanceless 55 to turn the tide. Billy aggressive as always 24 off 13, delivering match winning runs. 217 posted when 150 looked likely earlier.

Respect to Asam, his last act running out Joe Tucker for a Silver duck, just got on with it and then some. Bang on middle and off for 36 balls. Ripped apart the Walsall top order. Saved at least 30 runs in the field. Match winner. If only you hadn’t run out young tucks MOM in the bag…
Bal Singh relished the conditions. Controlling. Another key wicket. Sharif promised sanctuary in the shade once he finished bowling, for once eager. Run rate pushed towards 7. Poor old Billal asked to open the bowling wasn’t happy. On 26 wickets, this kids obviously the best bowler we’ve seen this season. Hard yards. Taking one for the team. All part of being a true Fitman.

Kevin Cuthbert. You’ve heard the name here first. Following his batting heroics was then asked to bowl at both ends against set batsmen with no complaints and kept the score in check. Martin wilting in the sun was taken for 32 off 4 overs by the oppo skipper and Jonny Bairstow look a like and the game was set up for an exciting finale with 7 an over still the required rate.
Asad came back on and kept it tight finishing with excellent 8-1-32-3 figures. Into the final 5 overs needing 40 and step up young Joe Tucker volunteering to bowl at the death. He showed great nerve and was unlucky to not be rewarded by a wicket. Proper bowler of the future and excellent work in the field.

Billy finished wicketless, but his last 2 overs were really important – 8-2-28-0 in a high scoring affair played a big part in dragging the Fitmen across the line. So to the last over with 9 needed, a grandstand finish! Special K, Super K, on debut. Surely not? Mis-fields, overthrows, shredded nerves, it had it all. With 3 needed off the last ball, a perfect full and straight delivery meant the Fitmen gained a cracking away victory by 2 runs.

A couple of cold beers enjoyed as the sun set on a superb day out.