Lichfield Nomads Cricket Club : Match Reports 2011 |
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Longdon v Lichfield Nomads
Brannigan’s PB efforts in vain.
Despite being a man short (last day of the footy season and presumably more
important things to do for some!), Nomads were keen to re-start their season
with a win. Moss and Hussein began the innings on a pitch variable bounce and
offering the bowlers some assistance laterally. Moss struck a couple of
good-looking boundaries before he failed to get enough loft into a shot that
dropped nicely into mid-offs hands. Gardner and Hussein continued the fight but
scoring was at a premium as Nomads teetered along at under 3 an over for the
first 20 overs. Pinfield had by now joined the fray and was also having
difficulty making headway, particularly with the soft outfield making scoring
more than two from ground-shots almost impossible. Eventually Gardner perished
to a stunning full-length one-handed catch by Coombes at square leg, despite
umpire Forster attempting to indulge the fielder in conversation. However this
brought in Brannigan and he soon began to lay about the bowling. Pinfield too
was invigorated by Brannigan’s efforts, raising his scoring rate. Brannigan
continued the assault until the end, losing first Pinfield, then Collins as they
tried to keep him on strike. As the overs ran out Brannigan had reached his PB
with an unbeaten 72 from only 45 balls.
Another excellent tea saw Nomads approach the task, feeling they had clawed
themselves back into the game. However, the short boundaries and the Longdon
batsmen’s experience on the pitch left them not entirely convinced. Any loose ball was generally
despatched with aplomb as Collins found out to his expense with one from each of
his first three overs disappearing into the hedge or over the trees. At the
other end, Forster had Purchard caught at point by Pickering, first ball, as he
fished outside off (can’t say he looked too happy as he left ~ he knew it was
c**p ball to get out too, and so did the bowler!). Coombs was circumspect
against most balls and was troubled by several but he stuck at it, slapping
fours and sixes when the opportunity arose. Moss removed Gibbins with a cleverly
disguised slower off break, then Forster took a return catch from Vyse. However
this brought in Cook, who together with Coombs kept Longdon up with the rate, as
each over appeared to consist of four or five good balls followed by a boundary.
Brannigan now roared in, the extra pace troubling the batsmen; he switched to
round the wicket and immediately tasted success removing cook, then Adams and
eventually Coombs, struck on the back leg by one that kept low. There was faint
sniff of hope from nomads but this was quickly dispelled by Vyse, E who took a
liking to any sort of ball and belted them to all parts of the ground as Longdon
ran out worthy winners.
Nomads may well have had the worst of the wicket, but they fought hard and never
gave up…. With an average age today of 50.3 (only just behind the Coombs Wood
record of 50.45) it was always going to be hard going against generally younger
and/or fitter players.
[Disclaimer: any offence caused by this
article is unintentional, any praise is well deserved.] |
Lichfield Nomads
How Out
Bowler
Total
How Out
Bowler
Total
Moss
c
Bonser
12
Gibbins
b
Moss
18
Hussein
b
Coombs
9
Purchard
C Pickering
Forster
0
Gardner
c Coombes
Strachan
10
Coombes
lbw
Brannigan
60
Pinfield
c
Bonser
38
Vyse, N
C Forster
Forster
0
Brannigan
not out
72
Cook
b
Brannigan
33
Collins K
b
Arkle
5
Adams
b
Brannigan
1
Stanley
not out
0
Parker
Not out
17
Pickering
Vyse, E
Not out
29
Forster
Hoddy
Extras w15, nb1, b6, lb1
23
Extras w13, b1
14
Total for 5 wickets
169
Total for 6 wkts
170
Fall of wickets: 27, 30, 66, 140, 165
Fall of wickets: 3, 50, 53, 113, 122, 137
Arkle 8-1-36-1; Coombes 8-1-21-1; Bonser
8-1-45-1; Strachan 8-0-18-1; Purchard 8-0-45-0
Collins K 8-0-59-0;
Forster 8-2-21-2; Moss 7-1-18-1; Brannigan 8-0-37-3; Hoddy 6-0-26-0
Longdon
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Web page prepared by Paul Fearon (c) Lichfield Nomads Cricket Club 2011