SCORECARD

Titanic Tussle at Richmond Hill Road.
Fitmen 140-7 beat Titans 134-5 by 6 runs

Well, what a game! “Frost lost toss” or “Lost tosser Frost”, make your own mind up…led to the Fitmen being inserted to bat on the notorious green top in Harbourne. Very gracious hosts, the Titans, gave the Fitmen use of the plush changing facilities whilst using the cow shed themselves.

All pre-match talk was of the mighty Chris Gayle innings earlier in the week, with the classic pub question, “what has Turgio Howarth and Gayle got in common?” – both have smote the 1st ball of an innings for 6. Well, would you believe it? 1st ball of the match, Howarth facing…….dot ball, half volley nicely patted back.

It was actually a very good opening partnership, setting the tone of good running between the wickets, quick singles and bad balls punished for 4. Rob Green was in fine touch (I think it was the pink ball) – but his 25 off 18 balls with 5 boundaries was really excellent before being caught. Si departed for 11, which brought together skipper Frost and Chas. As if inspired by Green’s effort, Horatio was really keen to keep the run rate ticking over. When Chas was finally out stumped for 12, he looked like he had just run the marathon.

Gerraint Evans, buoyed by a good knock at the weekend joined Jim in the middle and another good partnership ensued. Both ended up on 29, Jim stumped by the excellent Titan’s ‘keeper and Gerraint not out, with Sunny, Sharif out for ducks, Martin, 6 and Ash 4 not out. 140 for 7 looked like a really good score at this particular ground.

Very few batsmen hit Ash Hussein over extra cover for 6, but when the Titan’s opener did a minor ripple of concern ran through the team. Enter stage right, our very own Titanic Sunny Singh to get this dangerous bat out with a swinging full toss and then continue to bowl a superb 1st 3 overs taking another top order Titan.

Ash nipped another out and with Sharif bowling a tight line, everything seemed to be in control. The Titan’s ‘keeper then got himself used to the conditions and started to open up. It wasn’t easy to field/see the ball at times but over by over the Titans got themselves into the game. Martin and Nutt took the brunt of the acceleration conceding 68 runs without taking a wicket but again cometh the hour Sunny came back for his 4th over to take another crucial wicket.

Chas was then handed the dubious honour of bowling the last in the near dark. Needing 14, Chas stepped up to the mark and only allowed 8 thus ensuring a fantastic victory by 6 runs. 274 runs at this ground in these conditions must go down as a classic with everyone involved. Special mention to debutant Rob Molloy who fielded very well with a brilliant stop in the covers to prevent a boundary.