SCORECARD

Excellent win against the Village. A slow start to the runchase meant that we were 39/4 after 13 overs, demanding 10.5-an-over from the last 7 overs. Geraint cracked 37 from 23 to get us back into the game, and Sharif hit 18 off 7 (including two off the last ball in a tense last over where only 5 were needed to win the game). Proper cricket.

Full report to follow, but I'm not writing it...

Fitmen 113-5 beat The Village 112-7 by 5 wickets

Not sure you get many games like this in a season, thankfully for the old tickers amongst us.
The toss was won/lost (delete as apporriate) and the Fitmen elected/were requested to field. Senior bowler Ash leapt at the chance of coming down the gradual slope, defending a short off-side boundary. Split field then, Ash off full run-up, Slip and a Gully in place to face the first ball - and what a first ball!! Nipped away off the seam, took the edge of the openers blade, and was smartly snaffled by Butch at first slip. 0-1 after 1 ball is always a good start for the bowling side.
Ash unfortunately got shot in the hamstring by the Moseley Sniper after 1 over, putting an end to his frugal offerings.
Butch and Raj took up the challenge and both bowled well to minimise the scoring shots.
Ade took over from the Moseley end and was also tight, snapping up 2 wickets courtesy of 2 smart stumpings (one with the batsmen going for a little wander...).
Ian Nutt also weighed in with 2 wickets, and Raj patrolled superbly to field like a rapier and gain a run-out.
The score ticked along at 6 an over, and a target of 113 looked achievable for the Fitmen.

Bice and Howarth opened up, and an uncharacteristic swipe from Bice saw him depart for a rare duck. Butch hit 2 scoring shots before skying one to square leg, and Tuckerrrr joined Howarth to set about the task.
Unfortunately, with a Test Match pace and the Night-Watchman at the crease, the scoreboard barely saw any action. Tight
bowling and keen fielding restricted the Fitmen to very few scoring shots, and the run-rate crept ever higher.
Tuckerrr, Frost and Howarth provided brief cameos before Geraint was joined at the crease by Sharif. What followed was truly legendary. Geraint's eye was in from the off, swatting fours to all parts of the ground. Excellent running between the wickets also crept the rate ever closer, and with 2 overs to go it was proper T20 stuff with 28 needed. Cue Rick Bowel to get his first taste of the yips. Unable to release cleanly the first ball went for a wide - "27 more of them thanks Rich" was the shout from the ever humourous Mr Martin, and right enough the next ball went for 3 wides...4 off the over and still 6 to come. Sharif blundered a couple of fours, as did Geraint, and from nowhere the Fitmen had amassed 23 from the over, leaving 5 to win from the last.
Now Sharif doesn't seem to be the sort of chap to get nervous, unlike the baying Fitmen crowd, and sure enough he guided the Fitmen home with 2 off the last ball of the over to win a truly remarkable game by 5 wickets.
Quality from Geraint and Sharif, with strike rates of 160 and 257 respectively. Geraint did indeed make them eat their words.