SCORECARD

Fit Men hold off spirited Hockley Heath

A lovely warm and not too sunny a day greeted Fit Skipper Howarth as he flicked the coin into the air only for oppo skipper to loose the toss. Howarth waisted no time in deciding to have a bat first on what looked a decent strip, albeit being used for the third time in 24 hours!
Opening the batting Harry Eames and Rich Bice. Whilst the “Heathians” from Hockley opened their bowling with an intriguing opening combo of slow leg spin and medium pace. First wicket to fall was Herr Bice, bowled for a 10 ball “duck” by the medium pacer. Enter Stu Mould who wasted no time at all hitting his straps with 3 x 4 in a row, before perishing for a cameo 13 off 9, bowled by the “Leggie”.
Skipper Howarth then joined Harry and the 2 added 106 in 22 overs. Harry found the gaps beautifully, exquisitely timing the ball and passing 50 during the partnership. The oppo even brought on our player Hari for a bowl as he tried to no avail to bamboozle with his fastish spin. Both Harry and Howarth ran well between the wickets, until Howarth perished for 43, caught and bowled.
With the score on 132 and 11 overs to go the platform was set for the “Big Guns” of messers Jones and Tucker and with Harry now seeing the ball like a beech ball things looked promising! What came next was sheer carnage as Jonesy Boy using those long levers coupled with 6ft 7inches and a fine pair of young eyes, smote handsomely to all parts! Harry and Jonesy Boy adding 108 in 11 overs of magnificent batting. Harry going to a sumptuous ton and finishing with 111 off 116 balls (13 x 4) not out. Those Heathians must be sick of the sight of Harry lad! Whilst a statistical mention of Jonesy Boy’s innings is warranted: 60 not out off 29 balls (3 maximums and 8 fours). His last four scoring shots at the end of the innings…6,6,4,6! (Spare a thought for next man in Tucker….festering in the sun on the boundary, padded up!). The innings closed in a very healthy 240.
A relatively quick turn around ensued, and the Fit Men opening bowlers got underway, consisting of Kev Cuthbert top end down hill and bottom end Sharif! Kev soon got a wicket bowling their opener, whilst Sharif was not up to his usual high standards and was rested after 4 overs (and a promise of coming back later). Their opener and skipper rode his luck, cross batting to leg and along with the number 3 Heathian the oppo were up with the score. Get the pinch hitters in and lay the foundation for the more orthodox engine room?
The introduction of J.S.Lockyer and Billal managed to douse the flow of runs to a degree, with Sam bowling up hill and with success. Bowling through his 8 overs in one spell and taking 2 for 43. Ably assisted by glove man for the day Rich Bice….taking a catch and a stumping! Well done sir. Billal meanwhile tied up the other end nicely bowling 5 good overs for 18 runs.
Skipper then turned to the swing bowling abilities of Tucker and seamup of Jonesy. Tucker steaming in from the top end and Jonesy up hill. Our curmudgeonly Cumbrian taking 2 wickets in 2 balls! Both bowled! The first being their talented young wicketkeeper batsman. Who we were reliably informed had taken a ton the previous day! Our Tucks deceiving young pup with a lovely flighted slower one! Before sending young lad off by verbally questioning the kids Safeguarding Status! With the young batsman non too happy at the verbals from Tucks all I will say is that “when in Rome” dear boy, as our batsman had had to put up with said verbals from young pup behind the stumps all afternoon! So Tucks on a hat trick got blocked out by said blocker. Finishing with a very creditable 2-39 off 6 overs. Meanwhile Jonesy steamed in up hill and bowled a very parsimonious 6 overs for 26 runs.
With scoreboard pressure starting to mount and their top batsman turning down runs in order to farm the strike (whilst being very well set having been well passed 50) the final overs of the game were bowled by Bal coming down hill and Billal up hill. Bal bowled an excellent death bowling spell of 4 overs for 17 whilst Billal snared their star bat LBW on 103. In came out very own Hari who with the other Heathian fell short in the end by 17 runs.
A well deserved victory was enjoyed by all Fit Men whom are very own Harry Eames treated each player of the team to a drink! To celebrate Harry’s ton. A fine gesture to cap a fine result! Well played one and all Fit Men!