Nomads finish on a high

The last match of the 2018 season saw the Nomads travel to picturesque Darley Abbey looking to finish with three consecutive victories after recent wins against Sunseekers and D2. Skipper Hutton won the toss and elected to bat despite the fact that regular openers Terry and Gardner were not playing.

Stanley and Fearon began the innings and Fearon was quickly dismissed for lbw by Dobson bowling left arm over the wicket. Weir didn't last much longer and went for 4 and George edged one that lifted to secure the Gonad trophy with his third duck of the season.

Brannigan then set about restoring some order and was quickly biffing the ball to all parts of the boundary. Stanley held up one end and the pair engineered the strike well and gradually got the Nomads back on track and built a match-winning partnership. Before long Brannigan had reached his 50 off just 24 balls.

The hosts continued to rotate the bowling and Brannigan powered on to his debut century off 59 balls. Stanley finally fell for a hard-earned 22 when the partnership had reached 145. Brannigan was dropped 3 times along the way but once he had reached his 150 off 86 balls he immediately chipped one to mid wicket that was gratefully pouched. It was the highest score of the season and almost double his previous best of 82.

Hoddy and Cartwright opened the bowling and Dazzler struck first, Husman edging to keeper Rolfe. Billings (13) and Singh (24) produced the best partnership for Darley Abbey but when they were dismissed by Hutton and Hoddy the wickets began to fall regularly and their run chase became academic. The wickets were spread around, two for Hutton and Turnbull and one each for Hoddy, Cartwright, Fearon, Pickering and George. A late flurry from Winfield was too little too late. Brannigan came on with just the one wicket required and he applied the coup de gras. He tempted Winfield with a full toss and he top edged to the grateful Hoddy, who took the catch to seal a comfortable 150 run victory. Straw who had frustrated the bowlers, remained 0 not out at the end.

It transpired that the Darley Abbey skipper often makes an agreement for batsmen to retire at 50 in friendly matches but did not have the conversation this time. Perhaps this should be considered for next year.

MVP: Brannigan 10, Stanley 1.
[Disclaimer: Any offence caused by this article is unintentional, any praise is well deserved]

Date: 16th Sept 2018
Start time: 1:00pm
Venue: Darley Abbey
Competition: 40 overs Friendly
Result: Lichfield Nomads beat Darley Abbey by 150 runs
Toss: Lichfield Nomads won the toss and elected to bat
Scorer: Hoddy/Cartwright
Umpires: Rolfe, Hutton, Fearon, Weir
Report: P. Fearon
Weather: Cool, cloudy, occasional drizzle

25/09/2018