Lichfield Nomads Cricket Club : Match Reports 2005

On a hot and stifling afternoon Nomads lost the toss and were asked to field. They started well, with Hoddy taking two early wickets supported by tight bowling from Heslington at the other end. Osborne and Williamson accounted for the next three wickets, (Osborne was on for a hat trick). When Horley gave a leg side chance to the keeper for Osborne’s third wicket, Bishops Tachbrook were 67 for 6 off 22 overs and the Nomads seemed to be well placed. But the incoming Morris and Gaught gave more than able support to Owen, belying their lowly status in the batting order. With 84 runs coming off the final ten overs, Tachbrook’s total sped to 199.

Nomads made steady progress at the beginning, with the top four batsmen all getting off to a start. But wickets fell regularly. Osbourne made a beligerant 19 and Hoddy made a valuable 17 late on. But it was Caygill whose excellent shot selection and steadfast approach took the batting honours. Attacking driving combined with resolute defence kept the Nomads chance of an unlikely victory alive. Caygill looked set for a well deserved century and was on 85 not out when he eventually ran out of partners.  Nomads never gave up and came close to a challenging target.