SCORECARD

Emphatic victory for Fitmen
On a fine Autumnal day, the Fitmen bade a fond farewell to HQ, with a fantastic victory in the final home game of the season. As a full team of veteran Fitmen assembled to “warm up” with Spitfire Ale and Magners Cider (cue quick trip to the off license by the Chairman), only 6 Barford players arrived ready for the 1PM start.
With Turbo Howarth licking his lips with the thought of batting to a 3-1 fielding line up, skipper for the day A.P.Martin (BA Hons) was instructed to use the old double headed coin to ensure a fair result. Cue opposition skipper to wait for the coin to land before calling “heads” (Oh I forgot to call), before a re-toss, resulted in (surprise, surprise) another head landing. On with the end of season off-whites it was then, for the Fitmen to field first.

With Sunny, Raj and Nutter restored back to the team, a stronger (more numerous) bowling attack was available this week. Sunny and Pat opened up and before long, the Barford top order was skittled. Sunny “swinging it a mile” Singh was imperious claiming 3 wickets for only 10 runs off 5 quite superb overs. Most balls swung too far to be nicked, so Mr Spicy Wings decided to take matters into his own hands to rattle the timbers. Pat Fay bowling with less pace and hostility was still, at times unplayable creating movement in the air and off the seam. Pat too took another 3 wickets for 16 off 6, to leave Barford 6 down with not many on the scoreboard.
3 more Barfordian’s finally turned up, to don pads and swish wildly at good balls. Top order fitmen batsmen were all heard giving advice to the oppo’ to stay in and play straight, hoping for at least some runs to chase down, in what was becoming a touch one sided game. A double change brought the evergreen Bal Singh and Ian Nutt on to bowl some spin at the tail (and 2 of the top order back in) with hope that the batsmen would at least make it until drinks. Nutter had other ideas! A sublime caught and bowled (diving left like a salmon bereft of eggs) made it 7 down, with Bal at the other end keeping it tight 0-23 off 6 overs. The Nuttmeister then grabbed another before drinks to leave Barford reeling at 64-8.

What was needed was a composed innings and a good 49 not out by the number 6 at least put a few runs on the old scoreboard. Nutter bagged his 3rd wicket before completing his spell of 8 overs finishing with a fine 3-40. Sledge of the day goes to Tucker in response to “how many balls to go? – 4”, “It might only be One!” – Just what was needed, kick em’ whilst they’re down eh Tucks?
Raj and skipper got an over each at the end, with the latter rattling the timbers of the number xi, to end the Barford innings on 102 off 28 overs. An excellent fielding display all round.

Tea was high calibre. Bal’s mini shish kebabs were the talk of the changing room, with Sunny again excelling in the spicy wing arena. Alledgedly, Tom’s (actually Will’s with further interrogation) Egg Mayo sarnies were far superior to the norm. Free range cracked black pepper and a touch of lemon juice apparently. With whispers of Mother Sadheva’s Pakora back on the menu next season, the Old Mo’ tea could enter the realm of gods for 2015. Watch this space!

Back to the action fully sated, the opening pair of Si Howarth and Tom Caesar waddled and wandered, respectively out to the middle. Spin was employed from the off on a track tinged with green. Some balls did turn prodigiously, but anything short was dealt with dismissively. With Howarth keen to play around his front pad, an LBW shout or two had to be turned down (both going down leg), but apart from that both openers delivered chanceless innings.
Tom C outscored his partner smashing 12 4’s and 1 6 in a beautifully crafted 65 off only 38 balls (SR 171). It was a day when a century was there for taking had more runs been posted. As is his want, Howarth was a touch more sedate on his way to 32 off 43 (SR 74). Both men carried their bats to bring home an emphatic 10 wicket victory.

Barford to their credit stuck around for a few beers on a balmy evening. Always a sad day when when you pack your kit up and wander off the hallowed turf of Moseley Ashfield for the last time of 2014. A laughter filled season as always. Only another 7 months before we don the freshly laundered whites yet again with dreams of even more runs and wickets in 2015!!!