Nomads strike again

Nomads travelled to Old Hill for their 'home' match against old rivals Stafford Strikers. Owing to the threatening rain, it was decided to have a 35 over match. Nomads elected to bat and opened with Gardner and, on his welcome return, Dan Moss. Nomads got off to a steady start against tight bowling before Moss was out to an excellent ball on 16. Weir was out, caught behind, much to his consternation although he did appear to start walking. However, Loxley came in and continued his good run of form being assisted by Gardner and then Brannigan. Loxley was out caught in the deep when he looked set for another pb and this started a collapse which saw the quick wickets of Turnbull and Bryars. Pickering and Lee did not last much longer. A period of the threatened rain came with 7 overs to go and an early tea was taken. After tea it was left to captain Rolfe and senior player Hoddy to see out the last 3 overs.
After looking to be set for a score of around 200, a Nomads collapse saw this reduced to 151. A defendable target in the conditions.
However Strikers got off to a brisk start, Wasim , in particular, striking any wide ball to the boundary in an innings consisting of 5 fours. Turnbull eventually had him caught behind. At the other end Lee was bowling really well with no luck; the batsmen playing and missing to the majority of balls. An important breakthrough was made by Moss, bowling off his short run, in the 16th over when he claimed 2 wickets. Hoddy came on and kept things tight and Strikers started to panic. The rain came again but stopped as the covers were brought on and play continued. Loxley was brought on to bowl causing the batsmen trouble but with only some 7 overs to go the rains came again and looked to have settled in such that Nomads offered the opposition a draw. However things relented and Strikers wanted to continue. Nomads hurried through the overs claiming the remaining wickets with 3 overs to spare.
Another excellent performance by Nomads with not our strongest team in the field. Loxley with 3 wickets, 57 runs and a run out was the well-deserved mvp and must be in line for most improved player.

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

Date: 18th June 2023
Start time: 2:00pm
Venue: Old Hill C.C.
Competition: 35 overs Friendly
Scores: Lichfield Nomads 151 for 9 v Stafford Strikers 115
Result: Lichfield Nomads beat Stafford Strikers by 36 runs
Toss: Stafford Strikers won the toss and elected to field.
Scorer: Hoddy
Umpires: Various
Report: J. Hoddy
Weather: Rainy

20 June 2023