Lichfield Nomads Cricket Club : Match Reports 2002

Owing to the unavailability of many Nomad players and reserve players, Nomads went into the game against Norton Selly Oak with no great expectations of victory. A team of only 9 players, including new signing ‘Fuzz’ Weir and Chairman Jennett forced out of retirement by our dire shortage of players, were in a resigned mood. Batting Ace, Pete Gardner, was encouraged on the trip by a sign indicating ’Gardeners Weekend’ and hopes were raised even more by discovering our opponents had only 8 men.

The opposition batted and looked threatening against the opening pair of Higginson and Hoddy. Hopes were lowered by 2 fairly easy dropped chances by Greaves(!!) and Pinfield who was recovering from excessive alcohol consumption. Also a difficult caught and bowled was missed by Hoddy. However a splendid catch was taken a foot off the ground by Weir off Hoddy and with Higginson tying down one end with a tight spell of bowling the batsmen took chances to score at the other end. Wickets began to fall when Greaves was introduced to give Higginson a rest and as usual the batsmen were bamboozled. The dangerous opener was caught and bowled by Greaves and the rest of the team were whittled out, with Hoddy taking 3 wickets and Greaves 4, for 81 runs off 21 overs.

Hoddy and Gardner opened and scored well against a good opening attack, but after 25 off 5 overs a bowling change saw Hoddy bowled off an inside edge by a good in-swinger for 8. Hussein came in and he and Gardner achieved the target with little trouble in 16 overs, Gardner scoring 32 and Hussein 18, extras 24.

After tea a friendly 14 over match (2 overs per bowler) saw our under-used players getting in some practice, but with the edge off the game, Nomads were beaten by 130 runs to 79. This game did see Gardner claiming a wicket off his bowling by hit wicket, the second time in 2 matches.