Lichfield Nomads Cricket Club : Match Reports 2003

Lichfield Nomads 155 for 8 from 40 overs. (Gardner 24, Hoddy 19 n.o., Higginson 17, Sharp 3-25)
Cannock Wood 154 for 7 from 40 overs. (Bromley 110, Hoddy 4-25, Cartwright 2-18)

After last week’s opening defeat, Nomads needed to get back into the winning groove. Newly elected captain, Forster, was in charge for the first time after his sojourn in the Canary Islands and was keen to build on Hoddy’s excellent record from last season.

Forster won his first toss and elected to bat with Gardner and Heslington opening up. Scoring was difficult, the outfield hard and rutted due to the effects of the long dry spell and the recent rugby season. Wicket-keeping was particularly difficult as the ball often reared up off the pitch after passing the stumps, so byes kept the score moving at about 3 an over. Gardener was making progress although Heslington was having difficulty with his timing as the Cannock Wood opening bowlers kept a good length, with Samuels being particularly difficult to get away. Heslington was just beginning to get his drive going when he misjudged the line of one that nicked the edge of off stump, 22 for 1. Hussein and Gardner saw off the openers and might have hoped for a more friendly second string but they were soon proved wrong. West was particularly sharp and Parker was causing some problems with his leg spin, one of which tangled Gardner, trapping him plumb lbw, 48 for 2. Pinfield came in and the after effects of a long night seemed to restrict his usual pugnacity as the score kept up a steady 3 to 4 an over, eventually Hussein was bowled by West at the peak of his powers, 66 for 3. This brought in Higginson who took an immediate liking to West, using his big back lift and powerful follow-through he raced to 17 off only 16 balls before being caught in two minds by the persistent Parker, 92 for 4. Weir arrived at the crease but was strangely subdued as many of last week’s powerful shots were missing. By now, Sharp was bowling a confusing mixture of good balls and wides on both flanks, one of which accounted for Pinfield for a gallant 16, 103 for 5. Cartwright joined Weir and quickly got into his stride, striking a rapid 12 with some elegant shots, before Bromley, returning, bowled him, 119 for 6. Forster arrived at the wicket and seemed out of touch (too much sun, perhaps) as he survived a close lbw first ball. Running with Weir appeared to be slo-mo replay but didn’t last long as Weir succumbed for 6, 121 for 7. Forster tried to push things too soon and got a high full toss onto the splice (it should have been a no ball!), spooning it back to the bowler, 128 for 8. With overs remaining and only the useful Coleman to come, Nomads appeared to be in danger, however Hoddy and the newly arrived Greaves put together an excellent unbroken ninth wicket stand of 27 in good time, with a mixture of good luck, poor fielding and creative running between the wickets. Nomads saw out the overs at 155 for 8, setting Cannock Wood a testing target.

After an excellent tea (surely the best ever at Barton), provided by Cartwright, Nomads took to the field. Heslington and Forster opened up, quickly slipping into the groove and making life difficult for the openers. A regulation chance from Bromley was dropped by Hoddy in Forster’s first over, a missed opportunity which almost came to haunt Nomads. However, although wickets would not come, Cannock Wood was falling behind the asking rate. Higginson and Coleman replaced the openers, Coleman was finding line and length difficult but Higginson bowled with fire and had the batsmen in trouble on several occasions. Still wickets failed to materialise as Cannock Wood plodded on. Eventually Parker struck his first run bringing the score to 42, clearly Bromley was the man Nomads needed back in the “pavillion”. It was not to be, however, Greaves provided two opportunities in his first over, a difficult top edge evaded Gardner, then a straight-forward chance was put down by Pinfield. It looked like Nomads spilled chances were going to cost them dearly for the second successive week. The score had progressed to 132 when Hoddy finally removed Parker, caught by Higginson. West, who had been acting as a runner moved into the crease and attempted to push the rate along before striking one at head height to Forster at mid off, 137 for 2. Still Cannock Wood appeared to have the match in their own hands although Nomads bowlers, by now being regularly shuffled, were not making scoring easy. Higginson bowled Green at 145 for 3, not to be outdone, Cartwright quickly bowled Cowling 150 for 4, however with three overs to go, Cannock Wood needed only 14 with six wickets in hand. “Easy”, or so it seemed, until Hoddy was brought back for the last over with six needed. The ‘clockwork mouse’ was not to be denied! Opener Bromley struck the first ball to Heslington who could clearly foresee the future as he let them run two, next ball Hoddy bowled Bromley, taking an unnecessary swipe, ending a remarkable innings of 110, 152 for 5. After a famous dot ball Hoddy bowled Samuel, putting the pressure on Cannock Wood for whom things were starting to look difficult 152 for 6. Two scrambled leg byes left them needing two from the last ball. Hoddy put the pressure on the batsmen as he made as if to run out Powis, backing up, and the facing batsman began to get sassy. This was all to Hoddy’s advantage and with Nomads determined to avoid the two runs, Hoddy’s final ball struck Powis’ middle as he was submerged by jubilant fielders (fortunately for him Forster and Weir elected not to jump on him), leaving Nomads winners by one run in a match played in excellent spirits by all involved. Once again Nomads’ “never say die” spirit had seen them through in a tight match.