Nomads in Low Scoring, Nail-biting Finish

Arriving at Walsall Health's new home at Rushall, after a fallout with Aldridge CC, Nomads elected to bat. The Nomads' team saw the return, after some years absence, of Nomads record scorer Chris Collins and also guest player J Ashton With damp conditions and an outfield which had not been cut for a while, a low scoring game was anticipated. This proved the case as Gardner and Terry struggled to keep the scoring above one per over. The conditions helped the bowlers. Terry dug in and managed to eke out 16 runs, but Moss took advantage of a couple of kind overs from Philpot to reach 44, worth a century under normal conditions, which gave the Nomads' score some respectability. No significant contributions came from anyone else. Rolfe was unlucky being run out by a direct throw from the boundary; Hutton was out again chipping a catch to a close fielder and Stanley was run out , not anticipating a quick single. Even small contributions down the order could have made a difference to the result.
Nomads did not go into the field with high hopes of gaining a victory. However the conditions proved as difficult for the opposition batsmen, especially with the excellent seam bowling of Nomads' openers. After 21 overs Elf were 37-7 and the balance had tipped in Nomads favour. But a resolute innings by young Dunn aided by Stephens brought Elf back into contention. Hoddy came on and at 4 per over, in a normal game a good economy rate, was a bit expensive in this game. At the start of the 37th over Moss came on to bowl but apparently had bowled his 8 overs and Hoddy had to replace him. Two runs were required for an Elf victory and one wicket for a Nomads victory. A single was scored bringing a new batsman on strike with the scores level. Hoddy bowled and the batsmen missed. According to the close fielders, the ball glanced the stumps but failed to dislodge the bails, the next ball was then edged between keeper and first slip and a run taken giving Elf a narrow victory.
Although it would have been good to win, the game was certainly enjoyable to play in and the kind of game that keeps us all interested. Nomads are certainly getting a lot of gonads this season with 18 already this season.

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

Date: 9th June 2019
Start time: 1:30pm
Venue: Rushall C.C.
Competition: 40 overs Friendly
Scores: Lichfield Nomads 79 all out, Walsall Health 80 for 9
Result: Walsall Health beat Lichfield Nomads by 1 wkt
Toss: Won
Scorer: J. Hoddy
Umpires:
Report: J. Hoddy
Weather: Damp

15/06/2019