SCORECARD

Fitmen make it 3 wins in a week
Fitmen 229-6 beat Highcroft 145 all out by 84 runs

An excellent afternoon’s entertainment was served up as the Fitmen welcomed Highcroft to Moseley Ashfield in the opening home fixture. The kindly(ish) weather gods allowed uninterrupted play on a chilly, cloudy day with the club house, ground and square all looking in tip top condition.

With the opening bowlers late/MIA, the decision to bat first was forced upon the skipper, but obviously openers Howarth and Caesar Jnr were chomping at the bit to get cracking. Howarth keen to get rid of the ‘Turgio’ label bestowed upon him by his cruel team-mates, delivered a sprightly 24 off 32 balls, before being caught at the 3rd time of asking. Knowing that it was unlikely that Omar Sharif would be running him out today, Chas came in a number 3 positively bounding to the crease. The next 30 overs then belonged to Chas and Tom who built a match winning partnership. Early on there was a fair amount of play and miss due to good quality bowling and a lively pitch but Tom looked at ease from the off.

The scoreboard always kept moving and the running of quick singles and two’s was at times audacious but interspersed were some quality boundaries. An elegant straight drive and leg glance from Tom (11 boundaries in total) were the pick, but the more brutal biffing of Chas’s 8 fours was equally effective. As Tom really tried to get a move on he finally fell for 77 and Chas increasingly aggressive was stumped soon after for 67. Very well played both. If the cheers and applause for these two and their batting prowess was heartfelt, the roar from the Spion kop when Syd appeared at 3pm carrying a vat of freshly made pakora made the ground shake.

After waiting for 2 hours to come in at number 4, Butcher was keen to get a move on with 3 smartly struck boundaries in his quick fire 20, but it was a shame he didn’t move from his crease with Tucker joining him for a brief exchange of pleasantries. A few minutes passed, Butch finally went for the single and was run out by inches! Tucker got a shooter for his troubles, Sharif missed a straight one and then a 7 ball cameo from skipper (One Shot) left the Fitmen with a very respectable total of 229.

Tea was a classy affair. Plentiful pakora, succulent Samosa, pork pie, pizza, sarnies of all denomination, chocolate fingers – this is what we play cricket for isn’t it? Special mention to the Ashfield bar team for their help, wit and charm. It wouldn’t be the same without their time and effort and it is appreciated.

Suitably full and refreshed the Fitmen took to the field. Many thanks to Rich Bice for stepping in for he who shall not be named blatantly turning his phone off and not turning up. Top effort fella. Ash was ebullient following the news he was to be the ‘junior’ partner of the opening Fit attack with Tony Caesar asked to take out the Highcroft best bats. “Not a problem old boy” – 8 overs for 22 runs with a valuable wicket, what a legend the chairman is. 4 maiden’s between them really set the tone and put immediate pressure on the batsmen.

There are some really good bats in the Highcroft team but the induced slow start led to a raft of rash shots and the wickets started to tumble. Sharif was excellent, as always, with his variation and accuracy and fully deserved his 3 wickets. A difficult catch by Tom of the talented ‘keeper turned the tide of the match. Butcher ably assisted Sharif in turning the screw, allowing just 11 runs off his 4 overs. Sniffing blood (and cheap wickets?) saw Martin and Nutt enter the fray. Neither bowled particularly well, but thanks to excellent boundary catches by Ash and Tom (this one whilst the skipper lay prostrate on the pitch) flattered to deceive leaving Martin with a 3 fer. Ash returned to nip one out and Nutterrr finally finished the game with a smart caught and bowled to finish with 2 wickets.

Highcroft out for 145 and a win by 84 runs fully deserved. With a wide selection of beverages available, a good number of both sides stuck around to enjoy and discuss this final game of April. Roll on May !!