SCORECARD

Something to RUSHALL CROW about

As any Fitman will tell you, there are any number of things that you would usually expect to contend with on the morning of a cricket match in supposedly ‘blazing’ June. That mid-summertime post-piss up morning blues, realising you are running desperately low on factor 50 suncream, or simply forgetting to put your water bottle/ box/ sun hat / socks in your kit bag (delete as applicable) … What you would certainly also hope to avoid at this time of year, particularly as skipper, is being made an unsuspecting hostage to a plethora of weather apps all giving varying forecast predictions, trying in good faith to make the right call. As the clock struck 10am however and with the groundsman deeming the ground fit to play, even after the deluge of the previous day, a call was made and the green light given to the chosen Fitmen XI to begin the long trek across town to the outer ‘burbs of Walsall for the latest Sunday instalment.

Leaving the M6 at the mind-bogglingly difficult to navigate A34 junction, I must admit that as on my previous visit to the northeastern fringes of the West midlands conurbation, the tree-lined avenues and parks of Walsall again exceeded my expectations and were very pleasant to witness indeed. As we ventured ever further north however, off the ring road and towards the venue, it did revert more to type. Arriving at the ground more by luck than judgement, without even a hint of an Rushall CC sign to guide us, the gravel drive and industrial scale security fences had a distinctly Ward End unity feel to them. The pavilion itself had a warm and welcome feel though with a fully stocked bar and (hallelujah!!?) a lavish tea being laid on for both sides. Under slate grey skies, with the white tarpaulin sight screens flapping wildly in the wind, it was also noted that there was a distinct Lord’s-esque slope from left to right. The covers were still very much on after the previous day’s league encounter and the imminent threat of yet more bloody rain.

A reduced 30 over match agreed by both skippers and universally welcomed by their respective teams, it was time for the toss and being north of Brum heads was duly called and the toss lost by this particular captain for the first time so far in ‘26. Much to my surprise at least, they elected to field first and in expectation of a fiery pace attack, both Mo and I strode to the crease with lids on and looking intently to see where exactly the pitch ended and the outfield began, being as it was so very, very green… As it transpired no such ‘four horsemen of the apocalypse’ pace attack emerged and the military medium bowling, hard as it was to time well and with the odd low shooter/ trampoline bounce thrown in, was handled well enough and a solid partnership formed, before Mo eventually fell, holing out to short extra cover for a respectable 24 runs. The skipper was joined at the crease by Mr A. Martin, who with his thumb still giving him some gip and in no mood to hang around, immediately entered the fray and set about putting on a total suitable enough to defend from their presumably strong batting line-up. Tip-off duly made and noted about the serious run threat posed by their Jonny Bairstow looky-likey opener, the skipper also saw it fit to up the run rate as the overs ticked by, before playing across the line once too often and being trapped lbw on his crease for 44. Next in at number 4 was Ian ‘KRO’ Timmsy, whose eyes veritably lit up as a delicious full toss came his way very first ball and was dispatched for a maximum. Bowling changes came and went, but still no pace was called upon and the scoreboard kept ticking over until Timmsy driving the ball hard back from whence it came, was snaffled caught and bowled by the Walsall left arm spinner Jonathan, a truly superb effort! In came Stevie Nicks and helped Ade to put on more runs towards what we regarded as a par score of 175 before the latter’s eyes lit up once too often and dancing down the wicket to a Nokia-Esque ‘plopper’ of a delivery, somehow conspired to miss the ball and was out stumped. Next to the crease was Sharif in at 6 following an authorised swap in the order with Bicey, who had been on extended umpiring duties. His stay was a brief one however holing-out to deep mid-wicket after hitting four runs, bringing the sock-less wonder that is Waseem to the crease meaning that the Fitmen 6-o meter could finally be cranked into action. Waz duly obliged with a quick fire 23, smashing a six and 3 fours and incredibly being dropped TWICE on the same ball, by the same bowler which was quite a feat to behold?! Sam Nokia made a fleeting cameo appearance, but was clean bowled for no runs by their very handy skipper bowling left arm around the wicket, which made you wonder why he had not introduced himself into the attack sooner?

The Fitmen had a set Walsall a more than respectable target of 180 runs to win, but before battle was re-joined, the onerous but essential task of devouring the tea buffet was met by one and all of the players. The general consensus was what it lacked in tasty accompanying condiments it more than made up for in volume and choice. Quite frankly it was just a nice change to have a tea being laid on for both teams for once, full stop. Back to the action, and as the skies grew ever more leaden, the Fit fielders took to their positions for (in this case) 5 overs at each end stints, as is now the Sunday norm and welcomed the aforementioned Jonny B and his bespectacled side-kick to the crease. Nonchantly cover driving Waz for a couple of boundaries in the first exchanges, Jonny B did indeed turn out to be very good, but after initially wavering, Waseem had his measure and would have the last laugh, winkling him out in his third over with a superb leg stump yorker. Damage limitation had been the name of the game so far and would continue to be the case with the left-handed Number 3 now at the crease and timing the ball superbly … After a couple of looseners, Dee kept things tight and the run rate under control and this continued as we switched ends for the first time.

With Waseem rested, it was time for Ian ‘do the harlem shuffle’ Timms to join the attack and proceeded to bowl a very tidy spell of 5-0-18-0. Despite not taking any wickets, his Ezé like run up was critical in bamboozling the opposition batsmen into submission. Sammy Lockyer was next to bring his box of tricks to the party and unfortunately both batsmen seemed to take an immediate liking to what was being served up and upped the run rate quite noticeably. As the overs ticked by and the winning total grew ever closer, it began to feel like the wheels were finally, inevitably about to fall off the Fit Sunday Charabanc… Aside from the consistently brilliant contributions with the ball from Nutter and Sharif, three key moments were set to transpire at just the right time and proved in the end to be the difference. First of all, Dee in his second spell removed their danger man at number 3 and did so with the able assistance of Bicey behind the stumps who instinctively snaffled a thick edge straight into his gloves. Next was the full-length diving catch taken at point and subsequent drop and immediate run out contribution from yours truly, which put us in with a genuinely good shout of victory. But perhaps the most crucial moment came with the late introduction into the attack of Ade, who off his trademark short run-up whipped up a tail-ender blitzing storm and proceeded to dismantle the Walsall batting, ending with remarkable MOTM figures of 3-1-11-4. A fine way to win this very tight and entertaining contest and end their very nearly successful assault on our unbeaten record. Within 5 minutes of the final wicket falling and the first Cruzcampos being cracked open, the heavens opened too!!

What superb timing…