Nomads Just Fall Short of Unlikely Victory

Nomads made just their 2nd ever visit to Tally Ho to take on West Midlands Police Veterans.not relishing the prospect of facing good guest players as they had the previous season. However the match turned out to be a well-fought contest. Thankfully the temperature had fallen a dgree or two from Friday’s and Saturday’s +30 temperatures.
On the request of the opposition the match was reduced to 35 overs and Nomads elected to bat. An early finish was unlikely, however with the opposition only completing 13 overs in the 1st hour. However Nomads run-rate was equally slow against tight bowling and a pitch which gave encouragement to the bowlers. and struggled to get above 3 per over. Gardner and Rolfe had an opening stand of 42 before Gardner was run out not being quick enough to regain his crease after bscking up. Bastable had a rare off-day and was bowled for a duck by Saify who claimed 2 for 19 in his 7 overs.Then Loxley came in and knocked 31 off 16 balls However as the bowlers were operating in short spells due to the hot conditions, Abid had come on, as 3rd change, to bowl and claimed 3 important wickets, Rolfe, Loxley and Scurlock to knock the heart out of the Nomads batting. Cogzell went cheaply bur Singh and Gibson pushed the score up to 141.

Nomads were, at least, 20 runs off a combatative total especially going off the experience of the previous year.

However the Veterans appeared to be much more a Sunday, friendly side as Hughes was given a generous lbw decision to take the 1st wicket. Cogzell was proving expensive at the other end and had to leave the field for a period when injuring a finger trying to take a very sharp caught and bowled. Fortunately Rylea Hughes was available as a substitute fieldier also giving old-timers, Hoddy and Gardner, a bit of a rest later in the innings. Hoddy came on and took a wicket in his first over. Also Gibson had a great spell taking a wicket for a mere 7 runs in his spell of 5 overs; he also claimed a run -out with a direct hit. At this stage Nomads needed to bowl the opposition out to achieve a victory and despite 2 wickets for Singh and 1 for Loxley, the Veterans just had enough in reserve to attain their target in the 31st over having lost 8 wickets.
A proper Sunday friendly which also included a tea but Nomads were unable to set a sufficient target.to claim victory.

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

Date: 13 July 2025
Start time: 1:30pm
Venue: Tally Ho!
Competition: 35 overs friendly
Scores: Lichfield Nomads 141 for 7 v West Midlands Police Veterans 145 for 8
Result: West Midlands Police Veterans won by 2 wkts
Toss: Lichfield Nomads won the toss and elected to bat.
Scorer: Hoddy and West Midlands Police Veterans
Umpires: Fearon, Hughes, Rolfe, Gardner, Jordan and West Midlands Police Veterans
Report: tbc
Weather: Very hot and sunny

14 July 2024