Lichfield Nomads Cricket Club : Match Reports 2003

Lichfield Nomads v Beaudesert
Date: Saturday 14th June 2003.  Time: 2:30pm
Venue: Home.   Competition: Friendly - 40 Overs.
Result: Lost by 8 wickets
Conditions: Hot and Sunny.
Scorer: Coleman
Umpires: Jennett et al
Match Report by: Dave Forster.

Nomads were their own worst enemy for this Saturday fixture that saw them struggling to field eleven fit men. With Higginson and Cartwright poncing about paint balling, allegedly, and both Moss and Hemmings otherwise engaged, Nomads always knew it would be an uphill struggle, but all twelve (including umpire Jennett) conspired to create difficulties for themselves.

After another toss win, Nomads batting opened up with the increasingly reliable pairing of Gardner and Hussein. Gardner looked in ominous form and Hussein was keen to get on with it, too keen, it transpired as he ran himself out after a yes-no-yes (oh I might as well) mix up which still left him marginally short and the Beau fielders feeling that their luck was in as Jennet’s index finger was only testing the direction of the wind, 9 for 1. Worse was to follow and again Jennett appears to have been the victim of some Beau kidology as Garner was given out, caught behind from one that rapped his thigh pad and ballooned up, 25 for 2. It was clear that with a long tail to come, both Pinfield and Heslington needed to get their heads down and graft for a while and this they did, admirably, as they compiled a stand of 82, before Pinfield was bowled for an excellent 37. Coleman arrived and departed in the space of one ball, leaving Forster to face the hat trick ball. With two going down in two balls, Nomads needed a little steadying and Heslington and Forster reeled off 21 in good time before Elson ripped one past Heslington’s outside edge, 128 for 5. Nomads knew their tail was possibly fragile but they couldn’t have dreamed how fragile, first Weir left after battering a three to the boundary, leaving Forster requiring oxygen, then the last five wickets fell for the addition of only two extras. Nomads had excelled themselves with five more going onto the “Gonads board” and Blackburn minor sixth highest scorer with nought not out!
A mix up over tea left not one but two to get through and here Nomads really came into their own, showing their true colours and amazing fortitude but with a score of 133 to defend they knew they’d need lots of energy.

Heslington and Coleman kept the Beau openers quiet with good opening spells, but with only five bowlers to juggle it was always going to be difficult. Coleman removed Cowley to an excellent catch by Blackburn (very much) snr. in the slips, taking one that brushed Gardner’s gloves, with a smart reflex that belied his silver-haired looks. Blackburn himself, replaced Heslington and found a decent line and was unfortunate to have a regulation chance put down by Hussein, from Gallier, before he had reached double figures, a chance that was to return to haunt Nomads, as he later opened up to batter an unbeaten 84. Only one unusual occurrence interrupted the Beau advance on their victory target; an lbw decision against Edwards, which prompted six Nomads players to retire from all competitive sport as they felt they had now seen every eventuality and there was nothing else to live for.
Lots of doom and gloom but some bright spots to go with it and the hope of reeling off only four wins on the trot to get back on the curry trail. Heslington’s return to good batting form to complement his bowling, Coleman’s opening spell, another good display from Pinfield, Gardner looking in fine attacking form and …… hmmm…. surely something else?