Lichfield Nomads Cricket Club : Match Reports 2006

Nomads power to victory over Beaudesert

Lichfield Nomads beat Beaudesert by 38 runs at Rugeley Power Station in sweltering conditions. A century partnership between Pinfield and Fearon set up the win as the Nomads posted 173 for 6. Five wickets for Heslington ensured victory was completed as Beaudesert reached 135 for 9 in their 40 overs.

With England's game against Paraguay on the Saturday. The game was switched to the Sunday afternoon. Skipper Blackburn won the toss and elected to bat on a scorching hot June day. The two Beaudesert bowlers were generating good pace but the outfield was strangely slow due to long grass and loose grass cuttings. Openers Gardner and Osborn made a steady start before Osborn was bowled by Williamson for 3. Caygill looked solid as he added 30 with Gardner before he was bowled by Matthews for 14. Gardner was also bowled by Matthews for 20 to leave the Nomads on 47 for 3.
Fearon joined Pinfield and the pair set about stabilising the innings and then building a match winning partnership.
Fearon got off the mark in typical fashion with a four and played some sensible defence mixed with some aggressive shots including a sweet straight six. Pinfield was the perfect foil and the pair rotated the strike well and they gradually rested the initiative away from Beau. Fearon was taking advantage of the support bowlers and played a variety of pulls, cuts and powerful drives. One of which nearly injured Pinfield at the non-striker's end. The opening bowlers returned and Pinfield accelerated his score, relishing the extra pace. Fearon pulled a short Elson delivery to the square leg boundary for 4 to bring up his 50 but was then bowled by a quicker yorker the very next ball. With the score now 153 for 4 the Nomads were well placed to complete the 40 overs and post a good score. Pinfield went on to claim a well earned half century as Edwards helped add 17 before being caught behind off Elson for 3. There was just time for Heslington to nick a single and post another not out. Pinfield completed the 40 overs on 59 not out as Nomads registered 171 for 6, including two drinks breaks.

With stalwart Steve Gallier missing, Beaudesert opened with the experienced pairing of Chris Cowley and Mick (Sos) Hughes. Heslington made the vital breakthrough, removing Cowley courtesy of an inside edge for 7. Lee Elson batted aggressively while Hughes played a patient innings at the other end. Elson twice could have been out caught but he continued to play positively. With Beau reaching 50 without further loss, they were starting to claw their way back into the match, although by now the required rate was more than 5 an over. Left armer Steve George returned to the Nomads line up after many years playing for Barton. He dismissed Elson for 32, who offered an edge to keeper Gardner. Hughes was the next wicket to fall at 71 for 3. Caygill taking another superb catch (Is that alright Rich?) off Heslington. Heslington was now on a roll and he bowled Mclean for a duck, Smith for 1 and had France caught behind for 8 to claim his first five wicket haul of the 21st century. Williamson and Matthews then provided some stubborn resistance. The asking rate was always increasing but the pair batted positively and ran well between the wickets to keep Beau's faint hopes alive. The skipper resisted the urge to kill off the opposition and get to the bar and instead rotated the bowlers to give (literally) everyone a bowl. The changes paid off, a father and son combination removing Williamson (who never batted that well in Nomads colours!). Graeme taking a good catch at mid-off. Edwards got 4 overs under his belt after a nervous start, Caygill bowled 3 overs and got the ball to turn as much as anyone, Osborn picked up a wicket and Gardner snapped up a stumping off the bowling of Pete Blackburn.  Blackburn (G) bowled two overs, conceding more extras than he did runs off the bat.
The extras piled up at the end as Beaudesert batted out the full 40 overs and closed to within 38 runs of the Nomads total. A comfortable victory in the end for the Nomads, who after six and a half hours in sweltering conditions were ready for a beer.

For the statistics fans amongst you this was Mark Heslington's first five wicket haul since July 1999 against Barton. Ted's wicket saw him reach double figures for the Nomads. The century stand between Pinfield and Fearon was the second highest fourth wicket stand ever for the Nomads. There have only been three. Gardner and Hampton put on 143 against Thorn (8/6/1986) and Fellows and Fearon scored an undefeated 102 against Rushall (28/6/1992).