SCORECARD

Butcher makes mincemeat of Lapworth attack

After 90 minutes of rain on Sunday morning there were fears this prestige fixture would be called off, but the weather gods knew something special was on the cards and other than a few minor showers the afternoon allowed continuous play. Upon winning the toss (tails rarely fails) and casting his eyes over a mouth-watering array of batting on the team sheet, captain A.Martin elected to bat. Although J.Caesar was offered the chance to open (25 runs behind Butch in the averages) it was T.Caesar and Butch who ambled out to open up. Facing decent, accurate bowling on a pitch where the ball did not come onto the bat, it was key to stick around and wait for any short deliveries which sat up and could be punished.

Patient batting saw 40 off the first 10 overs's before Tom got a good in-swinging yorker from the first ball of a new bowlers spell and was bowled. Hero of the tour Sharif, next in,found it difficult going and gave the Lapworth fielders a good working over hitting everything powerfully and straight at them. Butch began to look comfortable and the boundary count began to grow, using his feet to good effect to the spin twins who were brought on. In fact he was progressing so nicely that apart from a one handed clap from Tom scoring, nobody actually noticed he had reached his 50, and was already on 60 before a murmur of appreciation was delivered.

At drinks with only 1 wicket down and 90 odd on the board, it was time to push the accelerator which Sharif did before holeing out to mid off. Jack C finally joined the fray and split the field with some massive strikes. Butch did casually try and run Jack out with a 'silent' run with the ball in the wicket keepers gloves but to no avail. After an array of fine cuts, chops and glances down to 'loin' leg, Butcher eased to his century (3rd of his career) to welcome applause. On 110 a brilliant catch on the boundary in front of the assembled Fitmen (saving Jowett's jewels whilst reading of Rooney's extra marital activities) finally brought an end to a quality knock which will be long remembered. Jim Frost maintained momentum in the last couple of over's with jack finishing on a respectable 41 Not Out. Fitmen 255 for 3 off 40 overs.
The array of sandwiches (beef and tomato exceptional) pork pie and flan/quiche depending on your persuasion all excellent, a suitably refreshed XI jogged back in to field.

Ash and Jowett (up-hill) opened up and the Lapworth opener's began well. Jowett struggling up the 1 in 33 slope was replaced by Martin with his new boa-constrictor style bowling, and as the required run rate grew so the wickets started to tumble. Ash in excellent form got 2 important scalps, one with a great catch at slip from the centurion. Matt Key who played in last years fixture came on and after not bowling for 12 months, bowled quicker and straighter than anyone else and grabbed another wicket (natural ability - don't you just hate it?).

At drinks Lapworth were on 60 requiring just under 200 off 20, and despite handing out lime cordial attempting to induce eleven man heart burn, they were just too far behind. Raj manfully toiled away from the 'cliff' end swinging the ball alarmingly grabbing a wicket with a good peice of work from Tom behind the stumps. Finally with Jowett running down hill with the wind on his back, with no more excuses in sight, a wicket came at last, and then he twisted his ankle...Ash returned to get one more to extend his lead at the top of the wicket league.

A rarely seen Brett Casey who couldn't catch a cold earlier in the innings produced an assortment of wides and beamers before getting his length right and nicked out 2 tail enders. This was followed by Jim Frost dusting off the cob webs from his bowling arm to wrap up the lapworth innings with a vicious delivery that swung, seamed and lifted at a 70 year old with a limping Jowett sucking in the pain to take the catch.
Lapworth 131 All Out. Cider £1.50 a pint. Butcher tunelling his way to his car on jug avoidance.......

A.Martin