SCORECARD

Magnificent Fit flying machine caught in Harvington Webb

A lovely new away day conjured by FitFixSec in the village of Harvington, a few miles from Evesham, lead to an excellent days cricket with a close finish to be enjoyed by all.
In 1868 there was a curious old custom still observed at Harvington; the children used to go round to all the houses on St Thomas's Day and St Valentine's Day repeating a doggerel rhyme as follows: 'Wissal, wassail, through the town, If you've got any apples throw them down, Up with the stocking and down with the shoe, If you've got no apples money will do.'
Well on this day in 2023, a few very good apples were thrown down I can tell you. Up with the Tubi-Grip stockings and Sunny left his spikes behind and wait for it… Lockyer had to get the round in.

Despite a 45 minute drive, opposition Captain and general all round decent chap, Felix bloody Shears was the Harvington skipper! (Mum lives in the village). However, after Felix skittled us with a 5 fer a few years ago, he promised not to bowl and keep the game fair and competitive. We were 23 miles south of Brum, but somehow it was a head and Felix immediately took the opportunity to bat.
Post Op Sunny Singh showed he was still the King of Swing, with a superb display of bowling, opened up. Harvington’s team averaged 21 years of age, Fitmen 45 at least. However there is nothing like wizened nous and experience versus youth and exuberance. First event of the match, opener mis-times a drive straight to skip for the day Harry E, somehow allowing the new cherry to smack straight into the smurfberry regions rather than using his hands. Sunny, back to his mark mumbling “here we Go again”.

Martin was wayward whilst Singh was unplayable. Change of bowlers with Billy and Sharif led to a dramatic change in fortunes and catching ability. Harry’s drop was school girl level, but his catch off Billal (which Billy had to get out of the way of otherwise die) was heroic! Unbelievable take….Skipper then took 2 more catches, which the one in the deep was probably up there with the best this team has seen in recent seasons.
Poor old Sunny then pouched 2 catches at long on which he made to look regulation and everyone was in the wickets apart from him! Sharif very grateful for his 2 fer.

In between all this, Harvington’s number 4 hoicked through cow corner for an aggressive 50 and the classy Felix looked the only player with timing (apart from Mo) all day, scored an excellent 30+. At drinks 76-3. After 24 overs 99-3, something had to be done otherwise the game could very soon run away.
The youngsters may have faced 70 MPH, or perhaps ripping leg spin, but nothing like soon to be Fit Legend Samuel J Lockyer. Someone had to get the 50+ man and Felix out…who else would you ask? Nokia was supported be quite simply brilliant fielding. 7 Catches and only 2 drops is a 2023 Fit record which will not be bettered. Lockyer plopped it on a mesmeric length and the batsmen were completely flummoxed. His 2nd Fit five fer….Incredible. Sunny finally got 2 wickets at the death to have Harvington 176 All Out. A top fielding display.

Lovely to see Stevie Nicks come along to watch despite his savage Freezer block injury and even this great fielder was duly impressed.
Also special mention to the Air show arranged by Stu with a flypast for half time entertainment.

The Fit batting response was solid. Mo and Harry dealt with a tricky surface and good accurate bowling with aplomb. Mo cracking anything short for 4 boundaries, before that area was covered by sweeping fielders. Harry finding boundaries harder to come by with the lush outfield, but at 10 overs on 46-0, we were pootling along nicely.

The lack of value for your shots lead to singles and some 2’s being the order of the day for the next 10 overs. Mo particularly enjoying all the exercise! At drinks on 83-0, we were bang on the run rate and everything was looking rosy. Enter stage left, a certain youth called Webb who pretty much turned the game on its head. He was quick enough and accurate enough to worry all the Fitbats. Harry was clean bowled by a beauty out for 21 off 64 deliveries.

Howarth trundled in, elegantly got a single and horribly swiped across the line to be out bowled to the spinner at the other end, then the next victim snared by Webb was Mo who mistimed one straight to Felix for a good diving catch. A well crafted 58 off 78 balls.
3 wickets in quick succession and with Webb giving nothing away and the squeeze was on. Only 7 runs garnered by over 25 – 90 for 3. Stu took 10 balls to get off the mark (very un-Mould like) and found the low and variable bounce difficult to deal with. Martin in at 5 decided that our only chance was to implement the old see ball, hit ball and KAMAKAZEE !!!! The running between the wickets was at times utter Suicide Squad stuff. 6 2’s and 20 singles and a smattering of 4’s lead to utter exhaustion, filthy whites from diving to make ground and at one stage, Mould without a bat scampering through on yet another overthrow.

Stu finally out caught for 25 off 38, 142-4 in the 34th over. Only 35 needed off the final 6 overs – Game in the bag surely? Not so, back came Webb to finish off his spell and completely dash Fit hopes. Martin Run Out with Groin, Hammy and Quads all screaming 22 off 24. Sunny first ball cracked to the boundary and another boundary the following over off Webb, things were looking bright but then he cleaned bowled Sunny for 11 off 12, castled Billy on his 3rd ball for a duck and then beat Bicey all ends up to complete his own 5 fer. 8-4-12-5, allowing only 7 scoring shots all day.

Needing 17 to win off the last 3 overs, we still needed 14 to win 18 balls later. Webb finishing with a wicket Maiden off the last over. Apparently he’s a batsmen who doesn’t normally bowl…Some talent.
Still a great game. The best was yet to come though, with Samuel J Lockyer bullied into getting the beers in! It was only £2 a bottle mind, so not too excruciating for him. Nice venue, quality oppo and a great day out, the Fitmen were left to rue what could have been