SCORECARD


The sun was out at last, and the fitmen were ready to turn the nation’s frowns (following the brave efforts of the Lionesses) upside down. Thanks to Simon and Tony C a new oppo had been found. It was Leamingon Khalsa, a nice bunch who’s relaxed approach was similar to their host.
The atmosphere was friendly and as both teams warmed up, the skippers began by throwing out tradition with the coin toss and the home team called, and lost, D’oh! LK decided to bat and the new skip returned to his team, only to be told “what the ….!” Still, the fitmen took the field and they settled in. Taking inspiration from the Lionesses, they were energised, they could sense the prey and so they sprung into action, as Lions do …..
Paul Caines and Rameez Ashraf (making his debut) opened the bowling attack. Good lines, swing and keeping by Stu meant that the batsman were making slow progress. Then a breakthrough by Paul, a catch taken at square leg by Tony, boosted the team. There followed a period of play for fitmen unusual for them and that can only be summarised as “catches win matches”. Those Lions were beginning to roar. Rameez continued with pace and was rewarded with a wicket, caught by Sheriff. Steve, joined the bowling and again restricted the runs, then a moment of brilliance, a run out off his own bowling. He was followed by Ade, who, despite cutting a finger the day before, took on his duties from the golf course end. He was ably supported by the Sheriff, spinning from St. Agnes Road and limiting the runs. Ade bowled their number 5 so he took a break and that allowed Bal to step up; unfortunately, 2 catches were dropped. The warning signs were there for our Lions, time for a break.
At the break, the oppo were 71 for 4. LK provided some stubborn resistance, but the fitmen were the masters of their own destiny. Catching opportunities were spilled and the gains won in the opening session were being lost. Like any Lion, maintaining the hunt is hard work. However, after a dip, the fitmen returned to the attack with Billal in fine form, bowling out their most difficult bat. Rameez continued with a string of dot balls and another wicket, catch by Billal. Sam Lockyer wasn’t going to miss out on the dot balls and was able to bag another wicket, caught by Rameez. Steve was inspired and took 2 wickets, an LBW and a bowled. LK’s seniors policy meant their over 60’s player had come out of retirement to demonstrate his skills. Using one hand to swing the bat, he smacked the ball through the covers. LK finished on 156.
The pride of fitmen then summoned their strength and sent out their opening batsmen, Mo and Stu. They faced the opening barrage as their stumps were targeted and it was difficult to find the boundary. No proble, plenty of overs, let’s keep going at 4 over and we’ll get there, was thinking in the pavilion. Unfortunately, the accurate bowling continued and Stu fell early. That brought in Harry Eames. The score moved along to 56 when, in, a Bairstow moment Mo’s bat wasn’t grounded when the ball came in from point, only for Tucker to give the run out! Time for Billal to grasp the opportunity, a good steady start, but then he heard the boundary calling and just couldn’t resist his instinct to swing. His bails were broken as we reached 77. Next, Rameez joined Harry in the middle. The bowlers kept this pair on the back foot, making it difficult to take off, but that didn’t stop Harry making a classy 50. Well done that man! Meanwhile, back at the pavilion, the lions were now facing a crisis as their prey was moving into the distance and the dot balls were piling up. Could they catch up? A brave attempt was made by Rameez (22), Steve (5), Sheriff (10) and Paul (9). That left 13 off the last over. Ade (1) and Sam(2)took out the golf clubs and that left 9 off the last ball. Sadly, this pride of Lions would remain hungry for a win on this day and, like their counterparts in the wild, they will remain dependent on the Lionesses to show them how it’s done.