Nomads win last match of the season

The last match of the season saw Nomads at Betley on an autumnal day. However the match was no end of season stroll-in-the-park. The opposition were still preparing the pitch when we arrived and the start was delayed until 1pm. Betley started and proceeded briskly in a match reduced to 35 overs. The opening bowlers, Luke Turnbull and Aneek Mahmood were replaced after 8 overs by Paul Fearon and John Hoddy. Fearon claimed the first wicket in his first over and Hoddy the second wicket in his 3rd over. Hoddy then claimed the wicket of B Barker lbw. The batsman queried the umpire’s decision but eventually walked off. There must be something in the name? C Morray was batting well and was very unfortunate to be out when he kicked his wicket when trying to prevent the ball from striking his wicket, although it was doubtful that the ball had sufficient momentum to dislodge a bail. This third wicket meant that he now had 2 wickets more than Mahmood for the season.
Around about this time Richard Bastable had dislocated his finger whilst trying to take a catch and was taken to hospital. Betley loaned us a fielder and the match continued. Ian Hughes and Tony Jordan came on to bowl. Both were expensive with Livingstone now playing a wide range of shots but then Turnbull came back on to dismiss him and also polished off the tail. Mahmood was recalled for one last over but this was not long enough to catch Hoddy in the wicket stakes.

A score of 198 off the 35 overs looked to be a decent target and the match appeared to be in the balance.
Matt Barker and Pete Gardner opened the batting and Barker in particular hit some lusty shots, although the shot of the match was a straight 6 by Gardner. There was a minor disagreement when the bowler thought Barker was taking the piss by playing a reverse sweep and then threatening to play a switch hit. To be fair Barker had been suggesting that Livingstone should play such a shot when he was batting and so felt impelled to attempt the shots himself. The partnership was worth 102 in 17 overs, exactly a run a ball, when Barker was caught for 57. A guest player loaned from the opposition, M Ball, came in next and contributed 8 to the total before being bowled by the pacy Livingstone. Gardner was bowled on 36 and Dave Rolfe was out for a duck. However Mahmood was batting well and with a 17 run cameo by Tom Scurlock, Nomads reached the total required after 30 overs.
The match proved an entertaining finale to the season with a very positive result.
[Disclaimer: Any offence caused by this article is unintentional, any praise is well deserved]

Date: 25th Sept 2022
Start time: 1:00pm
Venue: Betley C.C.
Competition: 35 overs Friendly
Scores: Betley 198 v Lichfield Nomads 199 for 4
Result: Lichfield Nomads beat Betley by 6 wkts
Toss: Betley won the toss and elected to bat.
Scorer: Jordan / Hoddy (Electronic)
Umpires: Fearon/Hughes
Report: J. Hoddy
Weather: Cloudy, Cold

25 Sept 2022