SCORECARD

I wish writing up a match report could be this easy every week - simply cut and paste a link of a very well written report by the opposition: http://walsallhealthcc.com/2014/07/20/v-old-moseley-arms-fitmen-2072014/

Rather than match this blow by blow account, I feel a few "highlights" could be the order of the day.
Ian Nutt's choice of route to Aldridge probably had the biggest impact of the afternoon, with would be opener Howarth stuck on the Chester Road as the toss was won (tails). The decision to bat on a lively looking track was made with the prospect of a hungover 'keeper, Houlgate, supposingly making an appearance later in the day (this did not transpire).
With no Nutt-mobile in sight, the skipper made the decision to pair Tom C with Mike Ralph, with orders not to get out for at least 10 overs no matter how slow the scoring. Orders were followed to the letter, although the scoring rate was never an issue, with both hitting regular boundaries. This against a very decent opening spell of bowling, followed by accurate slower bowling from the first change pair. Ralphie always looked in control, striking the ball cleanly with an array of shots. Two straight drives for 6 particularly stay in the memory.
See enclosed match report for the fall of wickets - but bar Tom C's excellent 36 and Sunny's aggressive 19, the fact that everyone else struggled, shows what a brilliant, match winning knock it was by Ralphie.
Such a shame that he hit one straight back at the bowler to be out c+b, when on 87, to deny a maiden Fitman century, that would have been so deserved.
Discussions over a good tea (chicken bites, pizza, sarnie selection etc) suggested 205 runs looked competitive, but with only 10 Fitmen, on a large outfield, a win was far from a foregone conclusion. So it proved to be, with a really exciting run chase, with 8 Fitbowlers involved (sorry Si!).
Key moments were a sharp dropped chance of their skipper, by our skipper off the bowling of Sunny. For me though, the match turned on an excellent chase and throw by Howarth and smart hands by 'keeper Caesar, to run out their most dangerous bat. Guy, as always bowled well, Ralphie scared the life out of the batsmen, Pat Fay bowled accurately, abley assited by Taz, Martin, Nutt and Sharif to set up a dramatic last over with the oppo needing 13. Enter MOM Ralphie, to clean bowl a dangerous left hander and allow only 3 runs to wrap up the match.
A lovely hot summers day on a good ground with friendly (but competitive) opposition, a few cheeky pints = happy days!