SCORECARD

On the final game of a successful season, hopes were high of a victory to take us into the winter break.
Coftonian's proved to be excellent opposition both on and off the field, and upon winning the toss they decided to bat.

Long John's, thermals and Jumpers were the order of the day, but seeing John H Jnr steaming in with the wind on his back and a new cherry in hand, was enough to warm the hearts of spectators and fielders alike. Bowling faster than a speeding Jewitt it was a shame he decided to bowl too many down leg side, but backed up by Syd at the other end, the Coftonian openers did well to keep their wickets in tact. An opening stand of 40 odd was broken by an inspired bowling change bringing big Ben Jowett into the attack with a cunning plan to bowl off 4 paces (poorly ankle) and PITCH THE BALL UP...3 rank long hops and a missed straight one later and the batsman departed LBW.

Having cycled 400 miles earlier in the day, Jowett could only manage 2 over spells, so enter stage left the most improved bowler of the season - 'chinaman' Chaz. Turning the ball prodigiously Chaz struck twice before the drinks break and proved at times to be almost un-playable (something the fitmen batsmen would experience with the Coftonian's spinner later). With the pitch taking spin, Mark Butcher twirled down 4 overs unlucky not to get a breakthrough, and Ian Nutt looped down a couple as the Coftonian middle order began to increase the run rate. Chaz grabbed a 3rd wicket with the final ball of his speall to finish 8-0-29-3.

A crucial breakthrough came with a career first for Howes continuing to bowl his leg stump line, Mark Tucker took an excellent stumping of their big hitter, standing up to such pace with only a gum shield for protection takes some nerve. In the final overs with the score nudging up into the 170's, Captain for the day Martin came back on to take 3 wickets in 1 over (valuable fantasy points!) with a brilliant catch by Jack claiming number 1, a catch to Jowett at fly slip (making up for a drop against Blackwood) and a cleaned bowled to bring the tail in. At close Coftonians made 179 for 7 a decent score on a turning track.
A 7 month farewell to the quality Pakora at tea and being able to dip an egg mayo sandwich into hot chilli sauce will be missed in the close season.

The Fit pair of 'shuffling' Simon Howarth and leading scorer Mark Butcher strode out to bat, and after a decent start Simon again did the soft shoe shuffle across the stumps to be out for the 18th time LBW (lots of work in the nets Mr H !). Although only 6 overs of the game had been bowled the introduction of Sharif at number 3 ( Tucker!) proved to be a turning point. Sharif always a slow starter who builds to a boundary hitting machine stayed very much in 1st gear complaining of being unable to see, due to either chilli sauce in the eyes, or post traumatic stress disorder following a savage Jack Russell incident earlier in the season.
Scoring 12 off 64 deliveries pushed the onus on the batsmen at the other end to up the tempo - with a good 39 from Butcher before top edging the brilliant Coftonians (ringer) leg spinner. Jack came in and blasted 15 before YAHOO'ing and missing a straight one, and Tucker looked good again before getting out Bowled.

Sharif did manage to hit a boundary on his 58th delivery before being caught allowing Martin to get to the crease needing 80 off 8 overs. A limping Jowett then delivered a 13 ball duck which was just what was needed with the run rate going up, before Nutt was run out for 3. A glimmer of light with the arrival of Chaz hitting a huge straight 6 and Martin hitting 35 off 21 balls but the Fitmen ran out of overs and fell 25 runs short.

An excellent finale to the season. Beers consumed, Curry consumed at Sweet Chillis, and drunken snooker late into the night - a fitting end to the Fitmen 2010 cricketing Calender.

A.Martin