Nomads hit top gear on tour

The first of two games on the 2022 mini tour saw the Nomads visit the picturesque Peak District village of Grindleford for the first time. Dave Rolfe won the toss and decided to bowl first. It was agreed that batters would retire at 50.Rolfy had made himself unavailable owing to a hamstring injury but his deputy, Rana Ghosal, wasn't feeling right to keep so the skipper went behind the stumps and, not for the first time in August, we had rolling substitutes. Just as well as John Hoddy arrived just after the first ball was bowled and then proceeded to get changed in the home dressing room!
Grindleford got off to a solid start with opener Ed Buchan hitting an impressive 50 before making way. With short square boundaries, and at 83-2 after 20 overs, our hosts looked to be heading for a big score.
However the introduction of John Hoddy saw a change in fortunes. The Hoddmeister bowled a superb spell, taking 4-20 from 8 overs. Backed up by spin twin Tony Jordan (2-23) the Nomads put a squeeze on Grindleford, with the regular fall of wickets requiring Buchan to return for the final over, finishing unbeaten on 56.
Chasing 159 in reply, and after a quiet opening couple of overs, Rana Ghosal went on the attack amassing 50 in just 45 minutes before retiring. This brought the ferocious hitting Jon Loxley to the crease and he charged to 26 in double quick time before holing out to Pete Burnyeat's first ball.
This didn't really do Grindleford any favours however, as in strode Aneek Mahmood (captain for the day) fresh on the back of his unbeaten 75 from the previous week.
All the while Pete Gardner had been quietly nudging and tickling his way along. By the end Gards became more expansive and the winning runs were hit in the 24th over with both batsmen unbeaten in their 30's.
What, at 3pm, looked, like a tricky task turned into an overwhelming win. I have a feeling that it was a case of it being a bad day at the office for Grindleford, and we look forward to returning to their delightful ground next year and thank them for being such gracious hosts.
John Hoddy was deservedly voted MVP - his contribution undoubtedly changed the game.

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

Date: 28 August 2022
Start time: 1:40pm
Venue: Grindleford
Competition: 40 overs Friendly
Scores: Grindleford 158 for 9, Lichfield Nomads 159 for 1,
Result: Lichfield Nomads beat Grindleford by 9 wkts
Toss: Won
Scorers:
Umpires: Various
Report: T. Jordan
Weather: Sunny intervals

30 August 2022