Nomads not saved by thunderstorms

A week of warm weather dried out the Risley ground sufficiently to stage our game. At one stage in the morning Risley only appeared to have 8 players but cajoling by their Chairman saw them raise a full side. The captains decided that with the threat of thunderstorms later on the match would be reduced to 35 overs each. Risley batted. Openers Cogzell and newcomer Singh opened with Cogzell getting a wicket. Loxley, in his 1st match as Nomads captain and also his 1st match as Nomads keeper, rang the bowling changes fully utilising his 8 bowlers. The change bowlers Jordan, Turnbull, Rashid and Gisbson , another newcomer, all bowled well in keeping the runs down as well as claiming wickets. However both Fearon and Hoddy struggled with length against batsmen who were now attacking the bowling and the last 8 overs went for around 100 runs. The innings saw some good catches taken particularly low catches by Loxley and Gibson, and Scurlock took 2 good catches at mid-off.
The opposition scored about 50 more than they should have done and a score of 191 off 35 overs looked very daunting.

As expected the openers Gardner and Fearon struggled against tight openers. Fearon was bowled and Gardner caught off what may have been a ball marginally above waist height. Scurlock failed to trouble the scorers as did Singh, out to a good catch at point and Turnbull was out to one that kept low. Loxley, Gibson and Cogzell were the 3 batsmen that made double figures but Rashid on 2 and Jordan with his Nomads pb of 4 fell leaving Hoddy on 1.
After having Risley on near 75-6 in 25 overs, Nomads briefly entertained hopes of a 2nd victory but Risley rallied to post an imposing score and the bowling was just too good for our batsmen.

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

Date: 12 May 2024
Start time: 1:00pm
Venue: Risley
Competition: 35 overs friendly
Scores: Risley 191 for 7 v Lichfield Nomads 73 all out
Result: Risley won by 118 runs
Toss: No details
Scorer: John Hoddy
Umpires: Stanley, Rashid, Fearon
Report: John Hoddy
Weather: Hot, sunny

13 May 2024