Nomads have a blissful day at Wednesbury

Having won the toss, Dave Rolfe chose to bat first. Debutant Cameron Bliss smashed the ball to all parts of Wednesbury Sports Union, the opening partnership with Pete Gardner amassing 83 in less than 12 overs.
Aneek Mahmood joined Bliss and between them they took the Nomads to 170-1 at the 20 over drinks break. Cameron retired having reached his century, Aneek eventually falling for 72.
Gavin Lord, having started the afternoon keeping, removed his pads and gloves and bowled a very good spell, which slowed the run rate down. However Mohit Thakur made a classy 48 and we finished with the Nomads third highest ever score of 282-7.
Ian Hughes snaffled a wicket with just the third ball of Wednesbury’s innings. This, however, brought Lord to the wicket and once Thakur had bowled the impressive youngster Vivek Bodalikar for 13, he was joined by Lewis Russell. Carnage ensued with one ball flying high over the fencing and likely well beyond the first house in Meryhurst Road.
Mahmood replaced Hughes and took the vital wicket of Lord with an excellent caught and bowled. Russell continued his onslaught and by the drinks break Wednesbury had amassed 185 runs, but crucially 4 wickets had fallen. Jon Loxley came on to replace the luckless Tom Davies and the game changed in the space of his first three deliveries.
First up he bowled Russell for 92, second ball saw Caleb Bleakley get a thin outside edge to Cameron Bliss behind the stumps and the third ball saw Naveen Vavu plumb in front. A remarkable hat-trick, the stuff of legend. Tony Jordan was brought on and between him and Loxley the tail was mopped up and victory by 49 runs was secured.
This was a match filled with excellent stroke play but also some good bowling and fielding. Ultimately we can be proud of the fact that we won for what is believed to be the first time at Wednesbury, and after the game the jugs were flowing for good reason. Among several worthy candidates, Jon Loxley was voted MVP.

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

Date: 28 August 2023
Start time: 1:06pm
Venue: Wednesbury C.C.
Competition: 40 overs Friendly
Scores: Lichfield Nomads 282 for 7 v Wednesbury 233 all out
Result: Wednesbury won by 8 wickets
Toss: Nomads won the toss and elected to bat.
Scorer: A. Jordan
Umpires: Various
Report: J. Hoddy
Weather: Gloomy

30 August 2023