Split Strength Nomads Team defeat Risley

The match started a little late due to the late arrival of some Nomads. The captain decided to bowl, opening with two of the Dans, Lee and Moss. Risley got off to a brisk start capitalizing on some rusty bowling. However Moss struck in the 4th over with an excellent one handed return catch above his head and then later in the over clean bowling Slee. Lee and Moss were replaced by Turnbull and Cartwright after 10 overs. However the other opener, Sub and also Chester scored freely albeit with a few uppish shots that were not claimed by fielders. Just before tea Turnbull claimed the wicket of the opposition captain, Johnson, who looked very dangerous. At drinks, after 20 overs, Risley had progressed to a good score of 102 for 3. A score of 200 plus looked on the cards. However Hoddy was brought on after tea, and not seeming to need the regular practice these days, took a wicket with his first ball which being slow and straight confused the batsman into missing it completely. In the following overs Turnbull took a wicket and then Hoddy again. Nomads had really pegged back the scoring at this stage and eventually the retired opener returned but then Cartwright took the final wicket in the 35th over.
Nomads were very pleased with restricting Risley to a final score of 154 which looked well attainable on a fast pitch and with a strong batting line-up. However it turned out that Nomads made heavy weather of it.
Rana and Stanley opened but Stanley was soon bowled in the 2nd over without scoring. Then Rana and Adam Hughes looked comfortable against the opening bowlers. However bowler 3, Will, bowling a mixture of no balls wides and 4 balls also took 2 wickets. Both Rana and Hughes hit potentially run-scoring shots which went straight to the fielders. This was to become a feature of the Nomad’s innings. A solid partnership of 41 between Bastable and Moss seemed to be sowing the seeds of a comfortable victory but then 2 wickets fell in 2 overs; again well-hit shots being caught. Turnbull and Lee added a few more runs and Pickering kept there without scoring for several overs but then was run out attempting a second run. Fortunately extras had been ticking along, eventually becoming Nomads’ leading scorer, and when Rolfe and Cartwright came in, Nomads needed 47 off 13 overs. At this stage Risley seemed slight favourites but having learned from earlier mistakes , this pair kept calm and played no-risk cricket. The odd 4 and the continuing extras kept us up with the runrate and Nomads achieved victory without losing any more wickets and 3 overs to spare.
It was really good to be playing cricket again on a warm April day and meeting familiar faces. Everyone looked the same except for unkempt hair and Moss’s missing poundage. It must also be mentioned that the Sunday was a historic occasion for Nomads. For the first time Nomads had sufficient available players to field 2 teams on the same day, one playing at Risley and the other at Lichfield.
[Disclaimer: Any offence caused by this article is unintentional, any praise is well deserved]

Date: 18th April 2021
Start time: 1:00pm
Venue: Risley
Competition: 40 overs Friendly
Scores: Risley 154 all out, Lichfield Nomads 155 for 8
Result: Lichfield Nomads beat Risley by 2 wkts
Toss: Lichfield Nomads won the toss and elected to bowl.
Scorer: J. Hoddy
Umpires:
Report: J. Hoddy
Weather: Sunny, warm

21/04/2021