Nomads lose away at Aston Unity

Nomads winning start to the season came to an end with a 54 run defeat away at Aston Unity. The game was arranged at the last minute due to the earlier cancellation of the Risley match. Aston Unity's team was bolstered by a few 1st teamers after their game was cancelled.
Hutton and Moss opened the bowling and Moss' uphill spell ended after one loose over as he struggled to get to grips with the slope. Hughes took over and bowled a decent line and length and was unlucky to go wicketless. Hutton was hitting some good areas and bowling with pace and the Nomads started to reign in the run rate. Moss returned from the top end and looked a lot happier and bowled with excellent control, bowling Muckley for 15.
After drinks Aston Unity began upping the tempo and opener Brookes, already on 50, despite a bleeding hand, showed some nifty footwork accompanied by a variety of powerful shots as he pressed on towards a deserved century. He retired having laid a strong platform for the hosts to post a big score. Fearon and Hoddy bowled the middle section of overs and Hoddy grabbed a wicket courtesy of a fine catch by Moss who had earlier, unusually, spurned a good chance.
Keeper Ghosal was donning the gloves for the first time in over 20 years and acquitted himself well, taking a sharp catch standing up and leaping like a salmon to claim his second catch of the match both of the bowling of Hooper who recorded his first wickets for the Nomads.
Hutton returned to get a deserved wicket bowling Buckley and the Nomads were pleased to restrict Aston Unity to 193 for 5.
The Nomads enjoyed a fine tea with plenty of cakes and were in confident mood as they began their reply.
Gardner and Hughes opened the batting and they played steadily and had reached 21 when Hughes was dismissed for 10. Jones followed for a duck, bowled by Natarjan and Moss holed out to mid wicket without troubling the scorers as Nomads were reduced for 24 for 3.
Hooper looked in good nick and was unlucky to be caught for 19. Ghosal and Fearon added 37 to get to drinks without further loss. Straight after Fearon (10) was bowled trying to pull a short ball that held up on the pitch. Hutton was striking the ball well but when Ghosal was caught for 5, the tail was exposed. Hutton was eventually caught for a top scoring 24.
Ian Hughes started well including a fine cover drive to the boundary but then lofted a straight drive to the fielder and was caught for 6. Last pair Hoddy (1) and Pickering (4*) batted stoically in an effort to last the 40 overs and almost survived to the end but Hoddy was eventually run out to give the hosts a 54 run victory.

[Disclaimer: Any offence caused by this article is unintentional, any praise is well deserved]

Date: 12th May 2019
Start time: 2:00pm
Venue: Aston Unity, Middleton
Competition: 40 overs Friendly
Scores: Aston Unity 194 for 5, Lichfield Nomads 139 all out
Result: Aston Unity beat Lichfield Nomads by 55 runs
Toss: Aston Unity won the toss and elected to bat.
Scorer: J. Hoddy
Umpires: I. Hughes, Hutton, A. Hughes, Jones, Gardner.
Report: J. Hoddy
Weather: Sunny intervals

14/05/2019