SCORECARD

FITMEN PREVAIL IN HIGH SCORING THRILLER

The deadly combination of an apoplectic Adrian Martin, and the unflustered “assassin” Ian Nutt, ensured the Fitmen continued their excellent winning record so far this season. Although these two were the main cast, they were well supported by the players around them in what was an excellent all round team effort.

Yet, only hours before there was a question mark bigger than the grey clouds overhead, over whether the game would go ahead at all. Captain and fixture secretary were invited by Tommo to carry out a pitch inspection at 8:30am. Upon reaching the ground, dew withstanding, it was pretty wet and damp. After plenty of chin-scratching the decision was made to give it a go and the match was duly given the go ahead. And what a worthwhile decision that proved to be! More than 400 runs were scored and 14 wickets fell on an eventful afternoon. Even the most cricket-starved of fans should have left feeling satiated; especially with the added addition of a typically excellent tea to fill the corners.

The exuberance of knowing a game was actually going ahead and (with no rain forecast), actually would be completed, soon evaporated into typical Fitmen pessimism on losing the toss and being invited to bat. This pessimism was tempered a little less by a decent opening partnership between Simon and Chiz who played very solidly. Yet it soon appeared once the ball bounced on the outfield that it seemed more akin for pitching wedge practice as the good shots would die on the outfield and thereby making boundary shots being valued at ones and twos. After Chiz fell for 35, and Tucker lofting a skier, the Fitmen were in a quagmire only slightly lesser in proportion to the ones found by the boundary fence.

Indeed, the score was a paltry 70 for 3 at the drinks break. Straight after the drinks break however, the momentum began to shift. Rob Green and Tahir started to hit the ball sweetly and the run-rate increased both scored solid 30s too. However, this then turned to 2 or 3 overs of low scoring. It was at this time there appeared reports and sightings of a purple looking bear; seen prowling around the environs of the nets holding a giant railway sleeper, waking back and forth like Baloo on speed. Tahir took the hint, got out, and allowed Ade to wield his staff to a brutal 61 off 22 balls. His 50 came off just 16 balls (with four 4s and three 6s) - surely a club record? As a result of the late cameo, the Fitmen reached a very competitive 218 off their allotted overs.

Thanks to all who contributed to the tea and it certainly lived to our usual high standards.

The reply by Highcroft to our score started in ominous fashion. Tuckerrr spilt an easy chance at point off the first ball of the innings (sorry but had to be mentioned!) and the openers had reached 95 in the 19th over before we were able to the get the first breakthrough. It comes as no surprise to know it was the deadly wiles of Ian Nutt which achieved this. The gates were opened and soon wickets fell regularly and suddenly the whole complexion of the match changed significantly in the Fitmen’s favour. Once the 2 or 3 of the oppo’s best batsmen got out, including stubborn resistance from the other opener, the result was never in doubt. Nutter was ably supported by all the seamers, with Dave Healey in particular proving miserly (or is that parsimonious?). Scoreboard pressure was compounded by dogged Fitmen fielding and it was fitting that the match ended with a neat run out by Chiz aiming at one stump to earn the Fitmen a hard-earned but well deserved win.

Look forward to the next match.. probably have to wait another couple of weeks though for the rain to stop…