SCORECARD

An uphill struggle

On the cusp of June already and as with the prevailing weather, so the Fitmen season had so far failed to truly perk up. With a welcome and long overdue improvement in the forecast, it was hoped there might be a similar change in cricketing fortunes. And so it was that in positively balmy, Barford-esque conditions, minus any debilitating hangovers among the chosen few, the selected XI convened at midday at Bromsgrove CC’s 2nd pitch to face the Old Doms and make the most of the fine day at the earlier than usual start time of 12.30…..
Or so we had hoped, before an over-running local junior T20 match combined with significant delays at an highly inconvenient set of roadworks just off the M42 junction intervened… Yours truly, cutting it very fine after a diversion via chez Nokia en route, was on the verge of a meltdown of ‘Falling Down’ proportions, but fortunately a timely message from Stevie Nicks regarding the ongoing youth match lowered the blood pressure levels significantly. Thanks kids?!!

Pitch and boundary flags duly re-positioned, 1pm rolled around and it was time for the toss. Located due SSW of Birmingham (thanks for the all-important clarification, Ade!) so it was that tails was called and with the mercury steadily rising, mercifully the toss was won and the skipper chose to bat. Disappointingly and aside from a lengthy stint as umpire, this would be the last contribution of any real note made by the Skip after getting out for a duck in the 3rd over playing back to an off-cutter that kept devilishly low…. A definite wobble, but happily not as it would turn a particularly significant one, with Messrs Azam and Nicks now at the crease. Early swing, seam and incredibly low bounce negotiated, the run rate finally began to increase with the 1st boundary coming after a full 8 overs! Uncle Mo ably supported by Steve now got into his stride and cut and pulled his way to a fine century, eventually holing out to deep square leg having literally just politely enquired to the skipper if he should retire having reached the magic three figures.

Enter Mr Sammy Moore at number four, the good ship-Fit having already been steadied after a particularly sticky start, and although initially struggling to find his timing on the April-like pitch, he soon began to put the Old Doms bowling attack to the sword. Stevie Nicks then fell, bowled to one that nipped back along way down the hill a la Pavilion End at Lord’s, after a solid and useful contribution of 15 runs and Bicey entered the fray.
A brief flurry of lusty blows and ‘Come on Richard!!’s’ later he fell, caught for a handy contribution of 12 to the total and it was time for the first drinks/ ciggy break of the afternoon. Fully refreshed and now joined at the crease by the last minute (and more than just a little handy) replacement for the injured Raj - Michael Ralph, so Sam decided to ‘up the ante’ and build the innings towards a more than respectable score. 3 maximums were struck during this point of the afternoon one of which over the mid-wicket boundary was lucky to ever be found again from the surrounding woodland, such was it’s distance, an exceptional piece of timing.

Ralphy was now in the mood as well and a ran a couple of quickfire 3’s where most Fitmen would undoubtedly have settled for 2, also striking some lovely boundaries on his way to a respectable 24 runs before being bowled. Ade was also showing some signs of good timing and none too shabby athleticism running a 3 and hitting x2 boundaries during his knock of 12 before being bowled by the returning opener who used the hill/ slope again to good effect in order to snare his man. Next in was the Sheriff, who had asked the skipper to be moved up the batting order to try out a new bat and who’s eyes lit up when two ball’s in to his innings a juicy full toss came his way and was nonchalantly dispatched over deep square leg for six to huge cheers from the pavilion. He survived the final few overs as did Sam who finished unbeaten on 80 runs. 270 was the winning target set for the Old Doms and as tea was taken in the warm afternoon sun, confidence was high in the Fitmen ranks that it could be successfully defended.

That confidence was boosted even further when in the very first over of their reply Rana, bowling up the hill no less, had their left-handed opener caught driving a rank full toss straight into the grateful hands of Mike at short extra cover. Much to everyone’s relief there was to be no more faffing around every other ball with the sight-screen!? The ‘Nelson’ beaming down from the electronic scoreboard on the far side of the ground at the end of the 1st over was a sight to behold, but unfortunately it was to prove to be a very brief moment of elation for the Fitmen.

Their number 3 bat immediately set about steadying the ship and began to get into his stride timing the ball well and finding gaps in the field seemingly at will. Rana and Harry S both tried valiantly to stem the flow of runs, but after 5 overs the time had come for Sharif to turn his arm from the bottom end and try and impose some control over proceedings. Unfortunately and very unusually, he too was unable to find any rhythm or consistency with the ball, and again the gaps kept regularly being found by their batsmen.
Ade from the top end however did tighten things up significantly and in his 2nd over came perhaps the most pivotal moment of the Old Doms innings when their prolific number 3 mis-timed a drive straight to long-on where Harry S was in exactly the right position but the ball just would not stick…. Heads didn’t drop for long however and morale was given a very timely boost when Ralphy agreed to have a bowl… up the hill no less?! He bowled his full quota taking 1 wicket (caught by the skipper at mid-on), for 37 runs - a very tidy and impressive spell of bowling. Next on to bowl from the top end was Sammy Nokia who had kindly made way for Sharif’s cameo at number 8 in the batting order. He had the Old Doms batsmen utterly bamboozled with one particularly good delivery shaving the bails of off stump, but ultimately without any luck…

That would sum up the remainder of the innings, another two Old Doms fell, a wicket apiece for Rana and Harry S, but crucially their number 3 was not dislodged and he guided them to victory with 4 overs to spare hitting an unbeaten century. The Fit XI retreated to the bar to nurse a post-match pint and in the case of Bicey a few post-match bruises inflicted behind the stumps…
Onwards and upwards, as the saying goes. Just please god not on any more energy sapping slopey wickets, if you don’t mind?!