SCORECARD

Lesser Lights Shine on Perfect Summer’s Evening

AMS 134-4, Old Moseley Arms 135-5

Old Moseley Arms Win by 5 Wickets

A perfect sunny evening, a beautiful village cricket ground, church bells ringing out across the green sward and well-kept real ale in the pavilion: it doesn’t get any better than this. Oh yes it does, when a spirited performance by a much-changed Fitmen side resulted in victory.

Player shortages led to the recruitment of Tom Killworth, a colleague of Rob Green and Shaun, uncle of Ralphie, and both contributed greatly to the success of the team as we shall see.

Monsieur Le Capitan lost the toss and so in temperatures still in the high 20s the Fitmen were compelled to field first. Ade and Ralphie opened up against a pair of experienced and competent openers who both exploited the perfect batting track and lightning outfield. Despite controlled bowling by Richard Harris and Chris Jones, the opening partnership continued until both retired on 25.

Up came Frost and Nutterrrr, but both were unfortunate to encounter the hard-hitting AMS numbers 3 and 4, such that by the end of 14 overs the score stood at a portentous and looming 106.

However, the remaining Fitmen bowlers hadn’t read the script and between them Pickering, Killworth, Shaun and Rob Green only conceded 28 runs from the last six overs : the momentum of the match had changed. Tom in particular fielded with great energy and commitment, taking a great catch down in cow-corner and castling the AMS number 3. Pickering was unlucky to concede 10 off his first over, but responded with only 1 from the second and Shaun, bowling his first overs for “a number of years” only went for 7. Rob Green put away the nightmares of Claverley with 2 for 9 from overs 18 and 20.

After potentially facing a total of 180 plus, a return of 134 was eminently gettable.

A good start with the bat was needed, and so it transpired. Richard Harris punished the bowling mercilessly to retire on 25 from only 13 balls. Frost couldn’t quite repeat his performance from the Sportsman game, but still accompanied Ralphie in the elevated position of number 3, to take the score to 45 in the 6th over. The scoring rate was kept up by Ade, and especially Tuckerrr, who was particularly severe on anything that deviated from a good length and line, such that by the time Rob Green, Chris Jones and Tom Killworth were called to the crease, less than 20 runs were needed.

Unfortunately, no grandstand finish was to ensue as the last 4 runs came from wides.

And so back to the pavilion to hot dogs, chips and lashings of high quality real ale and enjoy the sun going down on a perfect summer evening.