Lichfield Nomads Cricket Club : Match Reports 2008

Lichfield Nomads 169 for 5 v Shugborough 166 for 9

Nomads hold nerve for Shugborough victory
Lichfield Nomads beat Shugborough by three runs in a closely fought contest at a damp Shugborough Hall. The Nomads posted 169 for 5, Fearon top scored with 80. Heslington tweaked a muscle to leave the Nomads bowling a bit threadbare and the absence of Gardner gave Graeme Blackburn the opportunity to make his debut as wicket keeper. Snapper Blackburn bowled particularly well, taking 2 for 12. The hosts were well placed on 151 for 5 with 4 overs left. But Hughes (4-39) and Fearon (1-43) held their nerve to deny the opposition.

Hoddy and Blackburn (senior) opened the bowling and both kept the batsmen in check and Blackburn picked up both openers thanks to two good catches by Keith Stanley at mid-on, to reduce Shugborough to 42 for 2. Meredith (27) and Bennett (31) then added 66 to put Shugborough in command. Forster removed Bennett thanks to a good catch from Graeme Blackburn and Caygill took a good catch running round from point off Hughes. Caffrey looked dangerous and hit 14 from five balls from Fearon to reduce the required run rate to 4 an over. Fearon clean bowled him off the final ball of the over and the momentum was halted briefly. Shugborough were running some quick singles to put the Nomads threadbare fielding side under pressure but Hughes continued to pick off the lower order, trapping Turnock lbw and dismissing Conway caught by Hoddy. Despite some howlers in the field, the Nomads kept calm and kept the pressure on with some tight bowling. Keeper Blackburn took another catch to dismiss Brewer and the last pair were at the crease for the final over. Hughes finished on a Nomads 'pb' of 4 for 39. This left Shugborough needing 8 off the last over from Fearon. They only got 2 off the first 5 so they needed a six off the last ball. The Nomads field was duly spread and they only got two, giving a victory by 3 runs. A very close call in the end that could have gone either way. The last four Shugborough batsmen only managed 3 runs between them.