Nomads visited Worcester Norton for the 1st time, an impressive venue with an upper and a lower pitch. The upper was occupied by a National u-13 Cup Match, whilst we played on the lower and we just had to play what appeared to be mainly u-16s. In extremely hot conditions, we were happy to bat first, opening with Pete Gardner and “ Fuzz” Weir. Gardner seemed unlucky to be bowled by a ball which kept low whilst Weir sliced a catch to gully. Richard Bastable and Aneek Mahmood steadied things with a 33 partnership but it was when Sam Bryars came in that things took off with an impressive partnership of 111. Bryars again fell short of his 50 falling to a really good ball which turned sharply and Mahmood falling on 88. Tom Scurlock and Jim Cogzell got the score over 200 and the innings was completed by Nick Bryars and Dave Rolfe.
A score of 220 looked acceptable. Although the opposition bowling was good it was not exceptional. The most exceptional thing was that they used 11 bowlers, having swapped keepers at drinks.
Any hope of an easy victory was dispelled when Dan Lee was hit over his head for 6 off his 4th ball. It soon became apparent that Thomas Williams was a very good batsman, one to look out for in the future, and the pressure told on the bowlers and fielders. Williams was supported by a succession of batsmen who scored only a little slower than he did. Sam Bryars and Aneek Mahmood took a wicket each and Jim Cogzell took 2. John Hoddy was unlucky having 2 difficult chances not taken in the deep , plus a top edge that went just over the keeper plus one which fell just short of a short cover. If all those had been taken we might have had a chance assuming Williams did not return. Hoddy showed how it should be done with a one handed catch at mid on off Cogzell.
Nomads tried hard against a talented young side but ability and technique proved the winner.

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

Date: 18th July 2021
Start time: 13:30am
Venue: Worcester
Competition: 40 overs Friendly
Scores: Lichfield Nomads 220 for 7, Worcester Development XI 221 for 4
Result: Worcester Development XI beat Lichfield Nomads by 6 wkts
Toss: TBC
Scorers: J. Hoddy
Umpires: Various
Report: J. Hoddy
Weather: Very hot

Last update: 30 July 2021