Lichfield Nomads Cricket Club : Match Reports 2006

Nomads patient win over Walsall Health
The Nomads beat Walsall AHA by 5 wickets on the warmest day of the season so far. Keith Greaves tortured the opposition with match winning figures of 5 for 18.

Walsall were constrained to a low scoring start by Nomads openers Fearon and Hoddy. Both bowlers gave nothing away and were unlucky not to get the early breakthrough as Walsall were restricted to 13 off the first 10 overs. Fearon made the odd ball swing and Osborn was unable to cling on to a sharp inside edge chance off the left hander Pollitt.
The opening batsmen then started to take more risks and the score started to accelerate but never got to more than 3 an over. Both Nomads bowlers bowled their spells straight through and Walsall reached 46 without loss after 16 overs. Heslington replaced Fearon and Forster replaced Hoddy. Heslington was less than match fit, suffering with a heavy cold, and bowled erratically to begin with before removing the opener Pollitt for 36. Heslington gave way to Greaves after 4 overs and the game moved into a crucial phase. Greaves had an immediate impact trapping Stevens for 24. Heslington taking the catch via his ribcage and then Forster bowled Smithy for a duck. Greaves was using the breeze to his advantage as he tempted and teased the Walsall batsmen. He bowled Oliver and Hall with two of the slowest deliveries you could wish to see. "It's torture out there" retorted one of the departing Walsall batsmen. Heslington switched ends to complete his spell and looked more like his old self. Generating some good pace and removing Jacob for 7, thanks to a fine catch by Caygill. Hartshorne stepped right back onto his stumps and was out lbw for Greaves' fourth wicket and Heller became Greaves' fifth wicket, spooning a catch to Hussein in the covers. Skipper Blackburn brought himself on later than planned for just the one over but picked up a couple of bonus wickets, bowling Pryce and with the assistance of keeper Osborn had Rogway stumped to end the Walsall AHA innings on 113.

Gardner opened with Hussein and both looked comfortable before Gardner was caught behind off Nicholls for 6. Osborn posted a couple before being bowled by Nicholls. Hall was struggling with over-stepping but managed to bowl Hussein who had scored a fine 24 with the score on 40 for 3. Fuzz Weir contributed 10 to a useful stand of 23 with Rich Caygill as Nomads patiently worked their way towards the total. Fearon and Caygill then added 31 before Fearon was bowled for 14 trying to sweep a straight delivery. It was now 94 for 5 and victory was in sight. Heslington joined Caygill at the crease and the pair cooly set about knocking off the winning runs with more than 8 overs to spare. Another not out for Heslington and a quality 30 not out for Caygill.