SCORECARD

On a glorious sunny evening the mighty machine that is the Fitmen midweek side arrived at Wasthills to put the mermaids to the sword (or should that be the Trident they being somewhat fish related). Disturbingly the pitch looked like an Oval wicket during a drought not at all what the Fitmen are used to. This however only served to inspire the skipper to decided to bat first. Striding to the middle for the toss thoughts have amasing a total in excess of 150 ran through the skippers mind before reality dawned and yet again he lost the toss and the fitmen were asked to toil in the field.

With volcanic missing due to a dodgy hamstring and sick note Martin having withdrawn late claiming that he had pulled something (probably his wife) Guy stepped into the breach to take the attack to the Mermaids openers and produced four economic overs taking the first wicket with a truly Waqar like in-swinging yorker, or something like that.

The fielding throughout was wonderful. Some bloke in a floppy hat took a wonderful low catch running in from deepish mid off off the bowling of Pickering whislt Sunny's bullet like throw secured a run out with a direct hit. Fielding off his own bowling Mark butcher swooped on the ball and spun as though appearing on strctly come dancing to throw down the stumps for another run out. Jon Howes chipped in with a wicket whilst Harbajan Nutt tied up an end.

The only blemishes were some bloke in a floppy hat spilling a skier whilst running back, presumably influenced by some bloke at Mid on (rumour has it a past chairman) who miss judged a simple chance by running in a little too vigorously. This lack of judgment by the former chairman has now been explained. Apparently he has found the pleasures of self flaggelation and was dreaming of wipping himself with a laurel branch behind his garage.

In amounst all this excellence the Mermaids somehow reached 115 for 5.

To the batting. In previous seasons panic would have set in and the top order would have folded relying on the tail to wag! No more, even missing the prolific Bice, the Mo top order looked strong. Howarth opening was bowled cheaply. This brought Butcher to the crease who proceeded to nudge the ball calmly into the gaps whilst Jack C took to the Mermaids bowling like a giant with a club finishing undefeated on 69. Victory was achieved when Mark Butcher hit a glorious 6 over cow corner with overs to spare.