Lichfield Nomads Cricket Club : Match Reports 2003

Lichfield Friary Grange 153 for 5 from 40 overs. (McKimsky 46, Kermer 41, Forster 2-17, Coleman 2-32)
Lichfield Nomads 148 for 8 from 40 overs. (Fearon 67*, Hussein 16, Coleman 13, Haines 2-13, Robinson 2-18, Rabicano 2-40)
The scent of poppadums disappearing over the horizon as Nomads once again showed their frailty in chasing what should have been a manageable target.

Forster once again won the toss with the “Liverpool Fiver” and put Friary in to bat on a wicket showing some softness after the recent rain. After a worrying first over produced ten runs, Heslington and Hemmings kept the Friary openers to under three an over in the opening spell, however the breakthrough would not come. Hoddy and Fearon replaced the openers and after several good shouts Fearon eventually trapped Willoughby, 37 for 1. Blackburn was unlucky in his first over as two difficult chances went wide of the fielders and after two more overs, Blackburn’s rustiness began to show, as he became expensive. Forster finally bowed to the pressure to put himself on and soon removed McCumisky, caught by Hoddy at mid off, with the ball being neatly cushioned by his broad “chest”, 103 for 2. By now Coleman and Forster were making run scoring difficult. Coleman, in particular, was causing problems with a mixture of accurate leg spin and the occasional flipper, as he bowled Kermer (103 for 3) round his legs and Ball (117 for 4). Forster removed Morris (119 for 5). Heslington came back for the last two overs and continued to trouble the batsmen without luck. Coleman, by now tiring, struggled with his length in his last over, making his figures look much less worthy than he deserved.

After tea, Gardner and Heslington opened up the Nomads innings and looked in control, despite some fast accurate bowling from Haines, as they pushed the score into double figures. Then disaster struck as Haines’ hurried one on to Gardner and a difficult chance was taken at ground level, 10 for 1. Hussein joined Heslington and they appeared to be coping with the varied attack and seeing off Haines, until he got one to come back viciously to bowl Heslington, 17 for 2. Fearon and Hussein began to push the score along at a steady three an over but after seeing off Haines, Hussein fell to Robinson for a promising 16, 48 for 3. Hemmings played and missed a few times and seemed slightly out of touch, however he had just begun to get his timing right when Robinson, again, hit middle stump, 72 for 4. Nomads were looking a little shaky and needed someone to stay with Fearon who was beginning to enjoy himself, as well as help him to push the runs along. Hoddy stayed a while, but couldn’t get going and was eventually a little slow of the mark backing up and was run out to a good throw, 90 for 5. Weir came and went in one ball, 90 for 6 as Nomads began to look in serious need of nerve control. Once again Blackburn’s lack of match practice deserted him as he could only push at the ball, making just one from 15 balls before being bowled, 99 for 7. In the meantime Fearon had continued his good work, striking the bad ball firmly, with one powerful shot putting a minor dent in the pavilion window. Coleman, having joined Fearon began to transfer some of his net form to the pitch, but having struck 13 from 15 balls was given out lbw, 136 for 8. By now the Friary field was spread wide, making it difficult for Fearon, who was getting most of the strike to get the ball through, several hasty two’s left Forster looking for an oxygen mask, but despite Fearon’s valiant effort with 67 not out, from 77 balls, Nomads fell just five short of their target.

This was a disappointing end to the match for Nomads, who looked as if it might come good at the end. A few errors in ground-fielding, a few balls just evading fielders and a slow moving middle order who put together just 16 runs between them from 58 balls, had left the target tantalisingly out of reach. However some good came from the match; some tight bowling against the best side Friary had fielded in this competition, a sound innings from Coleman showing promise for the future and Fearon’s 67 not out, put him first to 100 this season. What a pity he won’t be available for much of the season as he is due to become a father, again, in the very near future, now there’s one piece of timing he needs practice on… Paul if there’s to be a third, can you organise it for an October birth?