SCORECARD

4 Singhs, 3 Caesars and a Green Ribbon Performance
Village 169-9 (40 0vers); Fitmen 172-2 (30.3 overs)
Fitmen win by 8 wickets

What appeared on paper to be an underpowered FitBowling attack proved too much for Village and a modest 169 was overhauled with ease – and almost 10 overs to spare.

With only 4 ‘recognised’ bowlers the skipper was going to need to share the 5th bowler between some part timers but intelligent application strangled the game and only a late order recovery got Village beyond 150.

The catching and fielding was pretty good, and the green ribbon from the ‘city end’ was targeted well to produce balls that troubled the batters. All 7 bowlers used only gave away between 3 and 4 and over and produced ‘three-fers’ for Jowett (3-27) and a brace of Caesars (J 3-16; A 3-30). In fact had some tricky gulley chances been snapped up, Jowett could have been a jug pourer (geddit?).

The early tea was beckoning with 7 down, but the Village Tail wagged with numbers 8, 9 and 10 getting 50 between them. The tail benefitted from the FitKeeper (had clearly been on the happy tabs) ‘fessing up to taking off the bails without the ball. This was shortly after the division bell rang and the FitField voted Village’s skipper back in for another go when he played all round a straight ‘un.

So – the tea had to wait until the scheduled break time and was notable for a lack of cakes. The 'Sunny Wings' flew off the plates and were ably backed up by 'open ham creations' - which were slightly camp but welcome none the less.

However, back on the field the Village were unable to make any breakthrough (even with the low carb tea) as The Don and Tom decided to do it themselves.

An opening stand of 100 is a rare jewel for the Old Mo, and one that is made above the asking rate even rarer. After Tom’s 42 in a partnership of 126 that displayed every stroke in the book from both batsmen, the game was over and it was only a question of whether The Don would become The Ton Don.

The prospect of getting to the target and being ‘stranded’ in the 90s spurred on the opener and with 6 required to win and 5 for the century a bit of farming was supplied. But tragedy struck at 95 as a hook went wrong and Don spooned to the keeper.

4 to win, 2 down, so Butch broke Howarth’s 400 strike rate at Doms with a 600 at MACC.

An excellent win and an opening partnership that really deserves a more fullsome description.

...........the Fitmen currently are enjoying their 'turn’ in the whhel of fortune against Village, and long may it continue. Though if history tells us anything it’s that these things really are cyclical and they oppo will have their day again. But based on this display it could be a while away.