SCORECARD

Old Mo Fitmen Go Back to Black In The Heat Of The Night...

Old Halesonians CC 174-3, beat the Old Mo Fitmen, 124 all out, by 50 runs

The Black Ops RECCE failed miserably, on a balmy night in Halesowen.

Fuelled on route by a new, less potent, Stella, that sits somewhere on the scale between Driving Lager and Wife Beater, FitBodies scuttled around the M42/M5, squeezing their way between Lickey End, Bell End, and a couple o' Clents, to arrive at a rather slopy Old Halesonians, overlooked by a towering bar/veranda.

The week leading up to this fixture saw our FitSkip receive a bunch of SMS's from the oppo skip, with varying content:
"We are a 'mixed' ability side...."
"We play in pyjamas"
"We have pink balls - you wanna try one????"

To counter that, and in honour of the passing of Mr Martin Snr, FitMen wore black for the occasion.

The Stella and noise on the route round scrambled our skippers head, who was sure everyone said heads, cos we were 'North of Brum'...I make it a tad South West, but never mind.......you'll never guess what - it was a tail, and those immortal words many have heard from an oppo skipper were once again muttered....'we'll have a bat', and bat they did (well, one did...).

Dot ball to start - nice one, Dave Moore - and then utter carnage, really. The viewing gallery on the overlooking veranda and a couple of kids practising touch rugby were all in danger of the pink cherry destroying their evening as much as it did ours, as the oppo opener took a liking to - well - everything.

Ten runs an over was no issue, and, on passing 50, Ade politely asked if there was a retire at 50 in place. Sadly not. So, onward to a ton, and, with a celebration akin to Johnny B at Headingley, the wan one was asked to retire, this time by his own skipper, maybe to go and lash on some more factor 50 given the state of the epidermis......Bootiful.

Each of the FitBowlers valiantly gave their full effort, with Juma, Billy, Harri, Dave, Sunny and Ade all stepping up. Each took a bit of tap, except Ade, who, having made the batting change, was happy to throw down a couple of 'Martin Overs'.

Another three-fer for Bilal, with every bowler going at over five runs an over, thanks to some outstanding ground fielding, which kept that rate in check.

175 to grab a stunning victory, as the glaring sun slowly went down behind the bowler's arm at one end - I got the impression that this outfit had batted first on a Wednesday evening on more than one occasion.

So, to bat. Timmsy, with visions of being the 'last man standing' in a nod to repay the skipper he ran out recently, sadly fell foul to a very very straight one, and was triggered - not happy nor jolly. Brother Nutt slapped a couple, but when your star bat, Sammy Moore, scrapes to a team top score of 15 (which included a majestic six over long-off), you know you are up against it. Other highlights were the first ball fielder being snipered up the hill, Sunny flicking one around the corner for a flat six, and the skipper getting his greater trochanter smashed by the pace ace.

At 4 wickets down, they bring on the opening bat, who steamed in under dusky conditions to try and really put the knee to the throat.....as per the infamous Titanic, the Good Ship Fit slowly sank as the band played on.....and on.............and on............................

Valiant effort by all but a trickle to 124, with only five FitMen reaching double figures (but aided by multiple wides scoring 2 apiece), closed out the evening, with the band also packing up as a mark of respect, maybe.

RIP