Lichfield Nomads Cricket Club : Match Reports 2010

Extras not quite enough as Heslington brings opposition to tears.

An unusually early match at Bugbrooke saw Nomads take the field on a bright sunny April day with just a hint of volcanic ash in the air.

Gardner and Moss opened up, with the former seeming a little 'seized up' despite the long fluent net sessions. Moss quickly got into his stride, losing one in the woods as he struck out as Cross lost his length. Cross' third over proved a turning point as he bowled a big wide along with two giant no balls over the head, this coupled with a blow on the elbow proved too much for the youthful bowler who took several minutes to compose himself before completing his over well. At the other end 'Jonty' was overstepping frequently as Forster got into his favourite part of umpiring duties. One such ball knocked back Gardner's middle stump, but the now more fluent Gardner was reprieved by the early call. The score was moving along smoothly at around five an over, although a couple of close calls, for lbw and run out kept the batsmen on their toes. Moss eventually fell for 47 missing a low straight one from Thomas, who also soon removed Weir to a mistimed hook (that's what comes with practising offside shots in the nets!). An opening stand of 128 appeared to have set Nomads up for a late onslaught. Unfortunately, this did not materialise as the bowlers maintained a largely nagging line and length, perhaps aiming for the several lumpy patches in the plastic surface, on a full length.

The usual good Bugbrooke tea saw Nomads out into the field, eager to get on with it as the light threatened to fade. Heslington and Forster opened the bowling. Heslington was unlucky to see Weir drop a fairly straightforward chance off Saunders at square leg, in what proved to be a costly miss. The bowlers kept the score down well until, after a midwicket conference, the batsmen decided to step on the gas, shifting Forster's figures from 13 from 5 overs to 26 from 6, resulting in Hughes brutally dismissing him to running duties in the field. The replacement bowlers fared no better as Bugbrooke openers kept up the pressure. Eventually Hughes, swinging the ball well, removed Chapman as his second, successive big lbw appeal convinced umpire White to raise the digit. This brought in the hard-hitting Sidebottom as Nomads began to wilt in the field. In a last desperate throw of the dice, Hughes brought on Blackburn and was rewarded with the wickets of both batsmen. Unfortunately, although this considerably slowed the rate, the score had already reached damagingly high proportions as Hoskin and Ruppett guided the occasional loose ball into the spaces, reaching their target with four overs spare.

A case of 'might-have-beens' for Nomads. Early chances, including several shots in the air looping over fielders or dropping short could have easily gone the other way. However, a solid score and a good stretch for most of the Nomads promises much for the rest of the season and at only one down with 20 or so to go there's plenty of chance to recoup.