Lichfield Nomads Cricket Club : Match Reports 2008

Scores: Nomads: 207 for 6 v Sunseekers: 51 for 2
Result: Match Abandoned

Rain thwarts Nomads bid for victory

An excellent 207 for 6 by the Nomads was all in vain as the match was abandoned as a draw with Sunseekers on 51 for 2 after 19 overs. A superb start by Gardner (58) and Fearon (46) was continued by Pinfield (34), Brannigan (33) and Heslington (15*) as the Nomads notched up 207 for 6 from their 40 overs. Greaves bagged two wickets as Sunseekers reached 51 for 2 before the rain came and the match was abandoned.

With the overnight forecast looking grim, promising rain spreading from the south all day, it was a pleasant surprise for both teams to arrive at Barton and be greeted by warm sunshine. Holland Sports Club was also hosting a tug of war match, which meant that there was much grunting and groaning in the distance.

Ian Hughes' first match as skipper started well as he won the toss and elected to bat. Gardner and Fearon opened the batting and quickly slotted into a positive groove. Gardner hit a four that ended up in a rabbit hole and the hard cherry was replaced with a softer old ball. This did nothing to curb the Nomads run scoring as they notched up 59 off the first 10 overs. Fearon spooned up a chance to mid off but surprisingly the nearest three Sunseekers fielders failed to go for the catch. Apart from that both openers looked comfortable and were hitting the ball hard. Gardner reached his fifty and was frustratingly caught off Ashford with the score three runs short of a century opening partnership.
Caygill was caught by Coxon off Waters for 5 and there was more frustration as Fearon was caught in the gully, spooning a catch off a rare wide delivery from Ashford. He had made 46, just missing out on a fifty. Edwards only scored two before being trapped lbw. Pinfield and Brannigan then put together a lively stand. Both players batted attackingly and added 52 when Brannigan was caught by Coxon, his third catch of the day, for 33. Pinfield was finally out for 34 and Heslington (15*) and Hughes (5*) saw out the 40 overs safely to take the score to an impressive 207 for 6. Ashford returned the best figures for Sunseekers (2-40), with Waters (1-28) the most economical.

An excellent tea was enjoyed by both sides. (Thanks to Pat Forster, Ian Hughes and Ray Jennett). When the teams emerged the clouds had started to gather and the temperature had dropped a few degrees. Brannigan opened and bowled with good pace. Forster at the other end had three chances in one over, none of which went to hand. Heslington and Greaves took over the bowling duties as the rain started to fall. At 31 for 0 the teams came off as the rain had increased to a steady downpour. The teams agreed to give it some time to clear and some decamped to the clubhouse where the Everton versus Villa game was on the big screen.

With the rain momentarily stopped, the teams resumed to the field to carry on the match. Captain Hughes (Villa fan) was AWOL and hadn't realised the game had restarted. He entered the fray to ironic cheers.
Greaves managed to get the first wicket of Taylor (14). Who drove uppishly to mid on where Fearon took a good catch with a wet ball. This was quickly followed by the dismissal of Wenn who was smartly stumped by Gards to give Greaves his second wicket and an early lead in the wicket takers list. Skipper Hughes bowled a maiden and then the weather intervened. Heavy rain blew in accompanied by sporadic thunder and lightning in the distance and the players departed the field and agreed to call it a day. Nomads were firmly in the driving seat and looked well set to win the first match of the season had the rain held off but it was a useful early season run out nonetheless.