SCORECARD

Suspicions raised as catches go down

With fresh accusations of spot-fixing in the international arena, the Fitmen knew that any kind of slip up so close to the end of a successful summer would lead to increased suspicions in the amateur game. Half the team (clearly the 'straight' half) were so desperate for the game not to go ahead, that they thought turning up with 5 minutes to go would put an end to any chance of spot-fixing.

The Old Mo got the chance to bat first against Barford, mainly because there were only five players in the team, knowing that a strong start could lead to a large total. However, questions of fixed scoring-rates were raised immediately as openers Caesar Jr2 and Howarth took 35 balls to harvest nine runs between them. More suggestions of fixing followed as Caesar offered up four catches, looking 'ashamed' as each was dropped. He gave up with a full toss on middle stump.

With an average touching 70 in the last 4 innings, including a maiden Fitman hundred, Mark Butcher returned to the crease looking to increase the run rate dramatically and score big. With both openers gone, Butch was joined by Heratio Frost. Some masterful strokeplay from Mark and some big blows from Jim soon upped the rate to almost 5 per over after the 20th. The glorious partnership of 139 was broken with another shot into orbit from Jim. With the past history of Barford's catching efforts, the Fitmen gave a polite round of applause with the first catch of the day.

One big hitter down brings one big hitter in, as Caesar JrSr strode in hoping to bludgeon some leg side boundaries against the current buffet bowling. First ball sat up to cut but a huge swipe gave the slightest edge behind sending Jack back to the pavillion. Was he part of the betting ring?? Sharif joined Mark at the crease and was soon needing oxygen as too many shots plugged in the outfield, forcing the chaps to run 3s.

A FitControversy had already begun with the supposed betting scandal, but a certain Barford player who can't be named for legal reasons, decided enough was enough. After his own players created two separate overthrows in one ball, he smacked the stumps, stormed off, packed his bag and went home. This left 9 players for Barford; keep this up and there would only be half a team by the end of the day.

Runs were being ticked off nicely as Mark Butcher passed his second Fitman 100 with style before going for one shot too many with a sharp low catch from the bowler. The tail joined in with a few extra runs to take the score past 200. Ben was unaware that once the ball goes over the boundary, it is always six, no matter how far he wants to try and hit it. The ball was launced over deep sqaure leg and was still going up as it crossed the boundary. Reports from the boundary suggest the Pope was lucky to have bullet proof glass as this mammoth shot bounced off every surface in south Birmingham.

The Fitmen finished with a very respectable 217 all out in the final over, 'surely enough' was the collective call as the gents went in for tea. The mixture of pakora and economy sandwiches went down very well indeed, much to the surprise of the economy sandwich creators. With FitStomachs full, the 11 took to the field needing only 8 wickets to win.

A cracking start from estate agent partner Jewitt found the edge twice in the first three balls, flying straight through thrid slip. All accusations of spot-fixing by Caesar Jr2 were denied by the FCC but turned into general match fixing accusations as a great throw from Jack was (deliberately) spilled even though there was plenty of time, as the batsman had all but given up.

After a quick wicket at the other end from second estate agent partner Jowett, the opening batsman took his extra life and made the Fitmen pay, striking some very powerful shots, pouncing on anything too short or too full. As the partnership grew to 50 in fairly quick time, a wicket was needed. Raj came on and bowled a beauty which just moved away from the batsman, took the edge and was dropped by.....exactly.

At the interval Barford were still one wicket down with 95 on the board. Just over six per over would give the travelling team a win, so at least one of these 'in' batsman needed to be dislodged. On came centurion Butcher who clearly thought 120 fantasy points wasn't enough. After setting the batsman up with the ball turning in, the final ball was spun away with the batsman dancing down the track giving an easy chance to Tom, who thought that a balls up for the third time would just prove him guilty.

Once that wicket was taken, Sharif cashed in with the opener, who made 64, trapping him in front. Once these two were gone, it was only a matter of time and accurate bowling. Butch decided that one wasn't enough, so bowled some 'dibbly dobblers' which the 'batsmen' let them right through the defences. Were these batsmen also in on the betting scandal? Simon got a wicket with his first ball, again straight through the legs, as Sharif and Ben wrapped things up with a 72 run win by the Fitmen.

With three wickets and 100 runs and too many fantasy points, Mark Butcher has to again be man-of-the-match and things are becoming rather unfair as he leads the highest runs stats by a fair distance. However, a quick fire double ton by Jack in the final match of the season next week could send the stats machine into meltdown.

Note: Investigations into spot-fixing and match-fixing are still underway. Until then, Tom Caesar will play no further part in the Fitmen team, to avoid any further problems.