Lichfield Nomads Cricket Club : Match Reports 2003

Blythe Bridge Vikings v Lichfield Nomads
Date: Sunday 21st September 2003.  Time: 1:00pm
Venue: Away. Competition: Friendly - 40 Overs. 8 overs max.
Result: Lost by 4 runs
Conditions: Pleasantly warm, sunny.
Toss: ? (Probably lost, knowing Dave)
Umpires: Forster, Jennett , Gardner, Moss, Fearon and Coleman.
Scorers: Jennett, Hoddy, etc
Match Report by: Paul Fearon

The Nomads signed off the 2003 season with a narrow defeat against Blythe Bridge Vikings.
The Vikings batted first and Hemmings and Hoddy made up a pace/spin opening attack. Fuzz Weir donned the keepers gloves in the absence of Gardner who volunteered to sit out the last game with Hussein, as once again Forster and Pinfield had a glut of players available to pick from.

The tone was set for a below-par fielding performance when Weir dropped a regulation caught behind off Hemmings early on but this was understandable given his lack of keeping experience but he was to atone for this in some style later. Another top edge off Hemmings fell just short of Hoddy at third man as the Vikings openers made the most of their opportunities. Fearon replaced Hemmings and Coleman replaced Hoddy as the Nomads looked for the breakthrough. Hemmings put down a chance at short cover off Fearon as the openers rode their luck once more before Coleman made the breakthrough by having Symcock stumped by Weir. Coleman was a little rusty after a few weeks off but continued to give the ball plenty of air to keep the batsmen interested and was rewarded with a second wicket as Weir took a smart catch to remove the other opener Bolton. Heslington was more expensive than usual but took three wickets to turn in the best bowling figures of the day. Blackburn bowled well but without luck. Moss and Forster finished with a wicket apiece as the Vikings tail upped the rate at the end and scored a crucial 11 runs off the last over to post a competitive 176 for 7. There was no one star in the Vikings batting line up but the solid opening stand between Bolton (31) and Symcock (28) was probably the highlight of the Viking's innings, along with the crucial 11 off the last over. Thorne (23), Hammond (28) and Finch (21) all posted useful contributions.

The players then tucked in to another marvellous Blythe Bridge tea and an unusual partnership of Moss and Fearon opened the batting for the Nomads. They batted calmly and sensibly and put on 37 before Finch's short pitch tactics paid off as Fearon was caught off a top edge, for 11, attempting a pull shot. Moss made 21 before he too was caught and Heslington followed for 11. Hemmings and Pinfield added an undocumented amount before Hemmings, batting without a helmet, was hit on the head by another short pitched delivery and hit the deck in a pool of blood. After a lengthy break, Hemmings was taken from the field and Smith joined Pinfield. Smith sported a badly fitting helmet and added 4. Blackburn came to the crease with the asking rate starting to increase. The pair realised that time was running out and they went all out to wrest the initiative. Pinfield scored his maiden fifty of the season and Blackburn scored his best score of the year, 19. When Pinfield was out caught trying to force the pace the Nomads were tantalisingly close to victory. Hoddy nurdled three singles, Forster perished to a turning ball. Weir bravely struck a four and scrambled some extras with Hoddy but was then bowled and Coleman was faced with an all or nothing shot off the last ball and was bowled leaving the Nomads 4 runs short of the total. In retrospect, the eleven off the last over was the difference between two closely matched sides. The Nomads needed one more substantial partnership from the top of the order or one of the lower order to flourish and victory would have been assured.