SCORECARD

I Would Do Anything for Love, But Please Don’t Do That!

Mermaid is always a great T20 evening—good opposition and usually a run fest. And after last week’s T20 at the Britannic was called off due to a wet (damp) ((mildly moist)) pitch, the Fitmen were very excited to be back in the midweek routine.

Of course, there was drama even before we got to the Britannic. Only nine Fitmen were available; thankfully, Timmsy was on call to bring in two new fitmen—welcome Jenith and Garrard. Not only that, the FitKit was at Ade’s house, and Ade was enjoying fine food and wines in deepest France for the week. Therefore, Skip for the game (again, as Moore is still AWOL) Jonesy had to do a custom escape room by breaking into Ade’s house. FitKit could have been in the living room? Or the spare room? and if it wasn’t there, Monty had put the kit in the loft? Of course, it was in the loft! Nice house, Ade; not sure why you have an indoor swing and a lot of whips on the wall—big fan of Indiana Jones?

Anyway, the game. Toss won, bat please.

Mermaid rocked up with only ten players. Not a problem—Jenith and Garrard brought a friend called Love, and he was keen to field. All you need is Love to stand at fine leg and make up the numbers.

The pitch was hard to judge, with balls randomly skidding through short of a length and the occasional ball getting stuck in the pitch. It was very difficult to time anything, and the outfield looked like a level from Cannon Fodder, with random foot-height tufts of thistles and grass.

Sailor bashed 10 off 7 balls before getting caught. Jonesy made 7 of alot. It was tough going.

Harry top-scored with 25, just beating extras. Waz hit 13 in more than a run a ball to show this was tough, and the rest were in single figures. Oh and there was a Whole Lotta Love in the field who could catch pigeons, account for at least 3 Fitmen!

After two T20s where 200 looked on the cards this season,, we just about managed to get to 101 for 9 off our allotted overs. Mermaid were up for it this year; they caught everything mainly thanks to Bleeding Love and their ground fielding was top-notch. Were left hungry for a victory after a few losses in recent years?

With a small total, the mind games started in earnest, “wouldn’t want to chase down that” “good luck out there pall” The Fitmen went in search of early wickets. We unleashed the two big guns, Waz and Dee, each bowling through their allotted four overs. Waz, with a classy 4 for 16 including a maiden, was lethal. Dee bowled some absolute snorters and was outstanding on a helpful pitch, finishing with 1 for 25, no justice. After eight overs, Mermaids were 41 for 3—game on!


But the Mermaids knew this was a small total. They played the game situation and ran their singles well. And they had another ace up their sleeve: their newfound ringer, Love Will Tear Us Apart Again, timed the balll better than anybody all evening, bashing boundaries to keep them in the hunt before finally being bowled. At the other end though Mermaids kept losing wickets due to some great Fitmen bowling.

Timmsy took three wickets. Jenith bowled well and took two wickets. Sailor took a one-handed, low catch off the ground at extra cover, which was ridiculously good. Mermaid took us to the last over with two wicket remaining and three runs to win, and they just got over the line.

Great game and another tight finish, but the midweek team has lost two in a row and goes to Wavies next week needing to turn the good ship around.

It was Love on Top, and the Fitmen were back at the Old Mo with pints of Bathams and an assortment of curries.