Lichfield Nomads Cricket Club : Match Reports 2004

Sutton on the Hill 194 for 7 (Milnes 38, Harding 36, Hoddy 3-37, Blackburn 2-28)
Nomads 170 all out (Gardner 61, Fearon 38, Heslington 24, Ashford 4-9, Johnson 3-87)

On an unusually hot September afternoon the Nomads opened with the dual seam attack of Heslington and Fearon. Both bowlers showed good control and Fearon extracted good movement in the sultry conditions. Neither bowler made the breakthrough and Sutton were 29 for 0 off the first 10 overs. Captain Hemmings replaced Fearon from the pavillion end but struggled with his footing. He bowled the one over and was replaced by Blackburn who made an immediate impact with the first wicket of the match. Rendell was caught behind by 'keeper Osborn for 16. Hoddy then replaced Heslington and chipped in with a wicket, bowling the other opener Hayes for 19. Blackburn bowled his second wicket maiden removing Hall for a duck and Sutton were 59 for three. Harding and Milnes then put together a useful partnership in quick time. Harding was eventually out for 36, caught Hemmings off the bowling of Hoddy. Hoddy then trapped Duffill lbw to pick up his third wicket. On his return from the other end, Hemmings immediately bowled Milnes for 38 with a looping loosener and bowled BD Land for 19. The eighth wicket pair added a crucial 31just before declaring at Tea. There was an unusually high number of extras (38). A number of factors conspired to this. The undulating outfield didn't help. Osborn standing up to Fearon and Heslington cost a few extras but too many runs were conceded in wides, no balls and leg byes to fine leg and third man. Nomads can consider themselves unlucky again. Another caught behind appeal rejected, the bowlers regularly beat the bat with no luck. On the counterside at least two of the wickets were courtesy of bad balls. Ultimately, the 69 runs from the last partnership and extras would prove crucial later on.

Gardner and Heslington opened in familiar fashion. Heslington dropped anchor, in stark contrast to his exhilarating innings here last year. Gardner plundered runs when he could but the rate was slow given the massive target of 195. The watching Nomads were nervously checking the run rate and urging more adventure but while there were no wickets down there was still cause for optimism. The two openers started to up the rate as they acclimatised and had reached 60 before Heslington was caught for 24 off the bowling of Milnes. Osborn looked good before attempting an unlikely second run and being run out for 8.
Fearon and Gardner then made a decisive bid to turn the match in the Nomads favour. Gardner celebrated a half century and had made 61 before he was caught spectacularly, one handed at wide mid-off of the tricky leg spinner Johnson. Fearon picked up the mantle and continued in a positive mood hitting three sixes to extra cover, square leg and one to mid-wicket that cleared the fence by 30 yards. Mr Angry was back!
Hemmings was then bowled by a looping delivery from Johnson that was eventually deemed a no ball after much discussion. He then hit 10 off the next two balls but eventually fell to Ashford for 11. Fearon was punishing the bad balls and had dragged the rate down to 4 an over but was then bowled for 42 round his legs to one that turned a foot. The Nomads were then caught in a dilemma. Victory was in sight but the tail neither wagged or opted for the cautious approach. Weir departed for his fifth duck of the campaign. Greaves hit a breezy 7 and was bowled and last pair Hoddy and Blackburn lasted 2 balls as the ever reliable Ashford clean bowled Snapper with Nomads 24 runs short. There was no eleventh man to keep Hoddy company and the Nomads fell disappointingly short. Not for the first time this season.
MVP: Fearon 5, Gardner 4 and Hoddy 1.