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Fixtures and Results | Match Reports

Date Against H/A Link Result Captain/Score
Mon 30 / 8 / 2010 Herefordians Away Won by 5 wickets. Oppo 147 Old Mo 150-5.

SCORECARD

Herefordian high drama heals bung probe

Having consumed 28 gallons of real ale, cider, and lashings of deep fried fast food, a sprightly fit XI arrived on time for a 1pm start to conclude the tour series. After recent deluges, a moist wicket was revealed, leading to toss winning captain Simon Howarth to insert a youthful Herefordian side to bat.

Guy and Raj opened up to an attack minded opening pair, and after a number of quality deliveries, Guy clean bowled one. His partner however was a different proposition having played to a decent level, he went on to record an excellent 102 with a full array of stroke play in a chanceless (it was like a rocket butch) innings. Alan Strickley and Aid endeavoured to stem the flow grabbing 3 wickets and a run out, with Mark Butcher standing in as wicket keeper bagging a sharp catch.

Guy was brought back in an attempt to dislodge the main bat and keep the score to a respectable level, but more success came from giving him a single and getting his partner’s out. Guy picked up another clean bowled victim before the spin twins of Butcher (minus pads) and Sharif brought the game to a conclusion with 2 wickets apiece, with the centurion finally bagged by an excellent running catch from super fielder Raj.

Herefordian’s 148 All Out.

Tea saw a 50/50 spilt between savoury and sweet which is always appreciated by the cake loving Fit XI, although the lack of wine this year was a sad loss.

With recent press coverage of betting scams and bungs in everyone’s mind, the local Ladbrokes did a roaring trade as John Harrison and Simon Howarth thundered to the crease. The first ball betting with John H snr facing was as follows: Wicket 5/2, No run 10/11, Single 4/5, Boundary 10/1, Extra 7/2.

After last years heroics in the same fixture, the shrewd money was on a thin inside edge for a walk/run single – good value at just under even money, but having spent a good £100 on the weekend so far John H snr decided to take the golden duck 7/2 route and walk straight past the assembled fitmen clutching a grubby betting slip. Howarth keen to ‘cash in’, very comfortably got to 6 before winking at the umpire and missed a straight one.

At this point although certain members of the team were Quid’s in, there was still the matter of a cricket match to win. Rob Green (34) and Sharif (39) then developed a crucial 3rd wicket partnership which saw the total creep towards 100. After Rob, getting a move on, slapped a ball for a catch, Raj brought some much needed impetus, before he too fell. Ian Nutt then arrived at the crease needing to get his eye in quickly as the over’s nudged towards the 30 mark with still 40 odd to get.

Sharif going OTT once too often finally was caught, but still a man of the tour performance following his excellence in the field and with ball in hand all weekend. So the game entered its final phase with what looked like a mountain (ok small knoll) to climb. Singles and 2’s were grabbed but the boundaries were elusive.

With 2 over’s to go and 20 needed, Ian and Aid managed to get only 7 leaving a massive 13 needed off the last. Ian Nutt clubbed the first ball to mid off for a single, leaving 12 off 5 required. Having left his ‘railway sleeper’ bat at home and using a well knocked in club bat, Aid then managed to score 4,2,2,4 bringing the Fitmen home with a ball to spare.

A fantastic conclusion to an excellent tour. Well done to Sharif voted man of the tour, and to Simon for all his hard work.