SCORECARD

Records tumble in fine Fit display

In order to break a record for the Fitmen, you need a number of stars to align. Form is a fickle mistress in cricket as we all know, so to continually deliver across nearly 6 months of action, takes a certain character. As the name implies, staying FIT whist having a 160g ball of rock-hard leather smashing fingers, knees and all extremities whilst fielding, bowling and batting again leads one to a certain type of masochist. Lady luck of course has a massive part to play also. Whether that be to not being triggered by a whole range of eager Fit Umpires (or oppo Umpires stone walling) to have that early season low shooter miss by a whisker, or just the British weather pouring down on the games you can play, yet bright sunshine when either work or holiday gets in the way.

The Eurythmics would have us believe that behind every great (Fit)man, there has to be a (Fit) woman. Happy WAG/happy Record breaker. Many a record season has been scuppered by a car boot sale, family BBQ or Moseley Jazz Festival. Then the need to be the ultimate ambassador. With a range of skippers at their Machiavellian best, just trying to win games, the record breaker needs to master the soothing word in his skip for the days ear…I’ll bat 3/1st change please skip. All before the spin of a coin.
Using a 100 Shekel coin stolen years ago from 2016 Batsmen of the year, Tuckerr (651 runs), the Fitmen were allowed to bat on a dusty looking (read this and weep) 1st XI track. I’m talking in the middle. Fitting that Nige skipper for Hockley called heads and it was with glee that Mould n Nicks strapped on….

Ashfield bowled out for 90 the day before, knees were knocking. Pacey and Loopy opened the bowling. Nicks mis-timed out for 9 allowing our existing Roy Castle record breaker, Mo Azam (1041 runs in 2015 –“dedication is what you need”) to deliver another neuf runs, out caught off Ruzza.

I know Gavlars “List” pissed a few people off naming the best players to have represented our club over the past dozen years, but the manner in which Sam Moore has accumulated his 1050 runs this season, will take some beating. Tahir, Richard Bice, Tom Caesar, Mo, Harris and Mark Tucker-Butcher are very worthy adversaries. A class act. 4th Century of the year. He will take down Butchers 154 record at any time…a 59 ball century this time, asked to retire to let others have a game without a 2nd beat. I could crush a grape
This allowed Sharif a game in at 5 following a superb knock at Walsall, 84 wonderful confidence heart-warming runs. Once he got past 10, we saw OUR KID back to his best. Started playing shots off the front foot for gods sake! Who cares about 15% inflation when Sherif starts getting forward…

Thaper with yet another 9 runs played very nicely. Then the only 2 left handers at the club (out of 50 players) Nutter n Martin steered us past 300 to finish on a good, but not unsurmountable total.

With 5 “spinners” on the team, poor old Stu was asked to open up with skip coz nobody else wanted to. Martin 6-3-13-3 for the first time in ages actually bowled with accuracy and a bit of nip to account for the top order until a rank full toss lost us the “gem” of a ball. The pitch and dog ball were then made for Nutter, Bal and Billy who took 6 wickets between them with decent fielding and for once catches taken..loved the nervy fumble Mouldy!Sam Moore and Bilal run out was a thing of beauty.

Hockley all out for 173. Fitmen win at last in August!
Billy in his 1st main season now sits on 40 wickets which is some effort. Bal despite soggy balls got another 3 fer to take the weekend best bowler spot.
Five games to go. Records are meant to be broken….and then some