Lichfield Nomads Cricket Club : Match Reports 2004

Nomads 145 all out off 47 overs. (Moss 52, Fearon 26, 6-38)
Walsall AHA 134 for 6 off 35 overs (Hoddy 2-15, Fearon 2-22)

The opposition opted for a time match, won the toss and put us in to bat. Gardner (collar bone) and Heslington (calf) were both missing, so Moss and Hussein opened the batting. The Walsall Health bowlers were both getting plenty of movement and Hussein departed for 4, bowled by a Slim inswinger, with the score on 8. Fearon and Moss then battled the Nomads back into the match. Playing the good balls with respect and despatching anything short or off-line. Moss hit a six and some classic shots to the boundary. Fearon was less text-book but hit a good hook-shot and another pull for four off rare short pitched deliveries. Moss was subjected to a vociferous appeal for caught behind, which umpire Forster rejected. Moss later declaring it had clipped the pad. The opposition appeared rankled and this sparked some moaning and groaning. Moss and Fearon had added 65 off 18 overs and seen off lengthy opening spells from Jacob and Slim when Fearon fell ,caught behind, off Hall for 26. Pinfield came and went, bowled round his legs for a duck, second ball. Hemmings came to the crease and looked in good nick, scoring 18 before he was caught behind off Hall.
Osborn played a more controlled innings than usual and seemed determined to spend some time at the crease. He showed sterling defence and then lofted a catch off Oliver to fall for 5.

By now the overs were ticking by and the run rate had dropped to less than three an over. It looked like the opposition might cut through the tail but this didn't happen. The Nomads had to delay tea and bat on to set some kind of competitive total. Hoddy (14), Forster (2), Blackburn (5) and Greaves 6 not out, all helped eke out the score before Weir fell last man for 1.
This left Walsall Health chasing 146 for victory off approximately 35 overs.

Some accurate bowling and excellent fielding meant that Walsall Health found it difficult to dominate but with wickets in hand they always looked like they would sneak home chasing a relatively low 146. But when the last few overs came there was no acceleration and a reluctance to take risks. Maybe the tail would have been exposed if further wickets had fallen, we will never know. In the end the final partnership neither shut up shop or went for it.

The match was ultimately disappointing as Nomads slow scoring meant there was insufficient overs to bowl out a solid Walsall Health side and the opposition's reluctance to risk all for victory meant the game fizzled out to a draw.

Extras                                         27
Total                                          134