The Elf end Nomads winning run

Walsall Health beat Lichfield Nomads by 5 wkts.

Once again Walsall Health beat the Nomads. The Nomads eked out 158 for 8 from the full 40 overs, mainly thanks to a superb innings from Dan Brannigan.
The Elf bowlers were htting their areas and were ably backed up by the field. JP took a notable caught and bowled.
Walsall Health got off to a flyer and were well ahead of the rate before wickets started to fall. Walsall Health cuised to their target with plenty of overs and wickets to spare.

Both teams were dismayed to find the strip allocated was green and looked like it hadn't been cut. The playing surface was not up to the usual standard and there was some debate about switching to an alternative wicket.
The Elf won the toss and chose to field in blustery conditions. Wickets began to tumble from the off and the Nomads slumped to 8 for 2 and later 26 for 4, including ducks for Mat Barker and Sam Bryars. When Nick Bryars departed at 40 for 5 it looked like we could be dismissed for less than a hundred
The Nomads enjoyed a better return from the change bowlers after the openers put us under the cosh
A typically belligerent innings from Dan Brannigan held the innings together and he batted prudently, adding 25 with Paul Fearon, 16 with Luke Turnbull and 39 with Tom Scurlock before finally succumbing for 71. Dave Rolfe (8*) and Scurlock (19*) batted out the overs to take the total to a respectable 158 for 8

A fine tea provided by Head Chef Gardner and Sous Chef Stanley brought welcome relief at the break.
The Nomads opened with Turnbull and Bryars Jr and the Elf openers were soon into their stride and both reached half centuries as the score rattled along at 5 an over.
By now the wind was blowing quite hard and the weather was gloomy but the threat of rain never came.
Armstrong was dropped twice and was the first to depart clean bowled by Hutton, who by now had ditched the spin and was generating serious pace off his long run.
Tony Jordan provided a useful cameo with a couple of wickets as the Elf honed in on their target. But the writing was on the wall and the opposition ran out comfortable winners by 5 wickets.
Both teams retired to the clubhouse for refreshments.
[Disclaimer: Any offence caused by this article is unintentional, any praise is well deserved]

Date: 24 July 2022
Start time: 2:00pm
Venue: Gorway Road, Walsall C.C.
Competition: 40 overs Friendly
Scores: Lichfield Nomads 158 for 8, Walsall Health 159 for 5,
Result: Walsall Health beat Lichfield Nomads by 5 wkts
Toss: Walsall Health won the toss and elected to field
Scorers: T. Jordan, A.Mahmood
Umpires: Various
Report: P. Fearon / T. Jordan
Weather: Cloudy, windy and occasional spots of rain

26 July 2022