A strong Nomads team lined up to face a very friendly and jovial bunch of lads from Google UK and Wapping Hockey club. Skipper Niro was surprised and pleased to be informed by Jim Miller, his counterpart, that the opposition wished to offer the Nomads first refusal on the choice between batting and bowling. Naturally, on a hot, dry afternoon, the Nomads elected to bat. Thus, a horror show began. After 6 overs, the Nomads were 4 wickets down for just nine runs, with Aza(2) and Niro(4) being bowled in circumstances beyond bad luck. Yet again Sean was pressed into counter-attacking the opposition, with a quickfire 22, before he was tragically stumped. Alex(13) offered some late resistance before the Nomads' account was brutally shut down for just 68 runs.
Needless to say, the Nomads pace battery launched into action regardless of the fact that the team had cooked up far too little for them to defend. Sean(5.4-2-28-2), Alex(3-0-19-1) and Isaac(2-0-22-0) all bowled their hearts out, but ultimately, it was too much, as the Nomads were beaten by seven wickets.
However what occurred next was down to puer love for the game aa the two teams agreed to tee off again with a 15 over shootout. The opposition, still padded up, were invited to bat again, for 15 overs. Every team member, bar the keeper, was given a bowl, and one of the highlights was seeing Luke taking another wicket, clean bowling an opposition hack 'n' slasher. Also quite enjoyable to watch was Sean and Tausef twirling up to the wicket to deliver some quite exquisite off-break bowling. The innings was closed on 119, and the Nomads sent in an experimental opening pair in Rob Logan and Luke Crimmens. Luke(2) shut up shop and played the anchor role while Rob(41) smashed the opposition bowlers to all ends, in a 65 run partnership. After Rob, and then Luke fell, number three Tausef showed the world why he is a Nomad by pulling, sweeping, driving and hooking his way to a swashbuckling 35, but the Nomads fell short with the score on 104 by the close.
Thursday, 1 September 2011
HOBGOBLIN NOMADS v Drovers CC Sunday July 24th Belair Park
Sunday July 24th saw the Hobgoblin Nomads welcome yet another new opponent for 2011, Drovers CC. Upon arriving at the ground, the skipper realised that the chap who was skippering the other side was a distant acquaintance from his childhood. Thus a little spice was injected into the day's proceedings. Winning the toss, Niro put the opposition into bat on a sponge. But the Drovers openers, Parks and G-Unit soon got going, as a double bowling change soon followed, with Hiro(7-0-37-2) getting a double breakthrough. With the oppo skipper at the crease, along with the number 4, the runs were piled on, but Niro(6-0-46-1) was able to extinguish his counterpart by bowling him through the gate. With Alex(7-0-45-1) returning with a second, fiery spell to pick up another wicket, and Keeper Jack(2-0-9-2) giving the home side some late cheer with a brace of wickets, the Nomads went in at the break needing 211 for victory...
Openers Jack(19) and Keeyon(5) went out to open, and despite a bright start Keeyon soon went with a top edge to the fielder in short on the off side. Wickets fell regularly after that, with only Niro(18) and Hiro(20) getting into double figures. The Nomads were bowled out for a paltry 115, being smashed by a 95 run margin. The soul searching would begin, as the Nomads moved on to their second home the following week for the clash v Google & Wapping...
Openers Jack(19) and Keeyon(5) went out to open, and despite a bright start Keeyon soon went with a top edge to the fielder in short on the off side. Wickets fell regularly after that, with only Niro(18) and Hiro(20) getting into double figures. The Nomads were bowled out for a paltry 115, being smashed by a 95 run margin. The soul searching would begin, as the Nomads moved on to their second home the following week for the clash v Google & Wapping...
Tuesday, 16 August 2011
Exiles v HOBGOBLIN NOMADS July 10th 2011 at Perivale
Leading up to this game there were a few unexpected changes to the line up, but luckily, Isaac saved the day, as along with the two playing friends that were coming down, he also brought down a third spectator, who promptly became our eleventh man. The Nomads won the toss at Perivale, which as a strip, was certainly one of the better away pitches of the season so far. Thus on an overcast but warm day, they put the Exiles, beaten opponents in May, into bat. Returning from his holiday, Sean (6-1-16-2) was able to partner up again with his fellow destructor-in-chief Isaac (6-2-19-3). And destroy they did, as they ran through the first three men in. The first to fall was dangerman Arijit, slashing at a ball just back of a length outside off, which he shouldn't have been doing. Isaac ran in from third man to take a wonderfully athletic catch diving forward and low. The spirits were high as the Nomads felt on a roll! Rory snaffled two catches off Isaac's consistent line as Isaac continued to bowl the opposition's number 5 and 6. Their number 4, wicketkeeper Adam began a counterattack from one end, but was unable to stem the tide, despite battling to an unbeaten 52. Skipper Niro (8-2-31-2) accounted for their number 7 and 8, the former being given out LBW with a ball that pitched on middle and leg, turning to off, the latter being caught at first slip by Sean. Notable however, was the bowling of Jack (7.3-0-34-3) at the other end. His consistent left arm medium pace, round the wicket caused the lower order all sorts of trouble. His first wicket was their number 9, and skipper Eddie, who was bowled by a corker which cut from middle to off. His second, a smart LBW shout, and his final wicket being the number 11 who was stumped, completing a satisfying day behind the stumps for Rory. The opposition were bowled out for exactly 100, leaving the Nomads with just 101 needed for victory...
Opening up for the Nomads with stalwart opener Rory was the skipper. The Nomads saw no need to rush - 40 overs to get 101 at a run rate of 2.52 meant they could ease their way home. But even the best laid plans come to nought. They trotted along with minimal worry at just over 3 an over for the first 10. Singles were available, and bad balls were put away. Opening bowler Ray, with his assortment of release points was struggling to find a good length, but in the tenth, found a reasonable area. Bowling to Rory (19), he pitched one on just outside off, that jagged back to take his off and middle stumps. The writer must admit that standing at the other end, it looked like part of Rory's bat unfortunately got caught behind his pad, making it impossible for him to get his bat out in time. Still, Jack strode purposefully to the middle, and started to try and impose himself on the opposition openers. The two Nomads advanced the score slowly for the next 6 overs until Jack (10) was bowled by Arijit, the opposition's main strike bowler. From 47-2 in the sixteenth, it went to 48-4 in the eighteenth. First, the skipper (15) was given out LBW to a ball that he was well down the line to, but the ball had stayed low, so he had to go. Then Isaac (0) was bowled by the same man. Two overs later, it was 53-6. Ben I (3) was stumped going forward to, as he said, the 'pie chucker', and then Sean, the Nomads' power hitter was caught for one.
Coming off for drinks, the Nomads were 53-6, still needing 48 for victory. At the crease were Ben H and debutant Keeyon. Interestingly, the field was set relatively deep. There were no close catchers, so the singles were on. The two batsmen set about their task, with Keeyon (10) striking a powerful blow literally straight through mid-wicket for four. However, he attempted the very strange shot at the next delivery, and connected even better. Unfortunately, mid-wicket was able to hold onto a low catch struck hard at him. 67-7 after 23 overs. Second debutant Martin (0) arrived at the crease to meet Ben, but was run out taking a second run. 70-8 after 24. Thus Ben was joined by Glenny, who was finally making his debut for the Nomads. Glenny batted without fear while Ben played an anchor role. For the next six overs, Glenny swung, pulled and drove anything short of length or wide for four. The Nomads edged ever closer, as the banter from the West Indian contingent of the team, ably supported by everyone else bellowed their approval, and sometimes their disapproval at the batsmen's shots selection! An atmosphere was truly created, and the game was truly on! The writer was standing as one of the onfield umpires, and could barely contain his excitement, jumping around whenever a boundary was struck! At the end of the 29th over, the score was 92-8. 9 needed from 11 overs...
Ben H (11) had played a pivotal role in this lower order revival, defending his stumps with dogged resistance. His resolve was finally broken as he was bowled by spinner Martin in the 30th over with 8 still needed. Joining Glenny was our 4th debutant Akill, brother of Keeyon. He responded with 3 off the last 2 balls of the 30th over, taking the strike on the 31st needing just 6 for victory. Swapping singles with Glenny, he returned to the crease for the fourth ball of the 31st over with just four needed. It was one shot, or one ball. Standing at the umpire's end, the writer took a deep breath, as did everyone present. This game had had everything, and now, no matter what the result would turn out to be, the game of cricket had been faithfully represented by these two teams out in West London. Adam, the Exiles' saviour with the bat, had taken off his wicketkeeper's pads and ambled in to bowl. Akill's eyes steadied on the bowler - a quiet had descended upon the field. Even the birds had stopped singing. The ball pitched just outside the off stump, but was at a driveable length. Akill stepped into it and drove low and hard between mid-off and extra cover. The ball raced away to the boundary as Akill ran down to the non-striker's end, hugging yours truly upon his arrival! Glenny ran up the other end and grabbed a stump out of the ground - the fact that it belonged to the opposition mattered not - and the Nomads were off their heads with delirium! This was probably the most exciting game the Nomads had participated in in their short lives, and the Exiles were very gracious in defeat. Smiles all round...
Opening up for the Nomads with stalwart opener Rory was the skipper. The Nomads saw no need to rush - 40 overs to get 101 at a run rate of 2.52 meant they could ease their way home. But even the best laid plans come to nought. They trotted along with minimal worry at just over 3 an over for the first 10. Singles were available, and bad balls were put away. Opening bowler Ray, with his assortment of release points was struggling to find a good length, but in the tenth, found a reasonable area. Bowling to Rory (19), he pitched one on just outside off, that jagged back to take his off and middle stumps. The writer must admit that standing at the other end, it looked like part of Rory's bat unfortunately got caught behind his pad, making it impossible for him to get his bat out in time. Still, Jack strode purposefully to the middle, and started to try and impose himself on the opposition openers. The two Nomads advanced the score slowly for the next 6 overs until Jack (10) was bowled by Arijit, the opposition's main strike bowler. From 47-2 in the sixteenth, it went to 48-4 in the eighteenth. First, the skipper (15) was given out LBW to a ball that he was well down the line to, but the ball had stayed low, so he had to go. Then Isaac (0) was bowled by the same man. Two overs later, it was 53-6. Ben I (3) was stumped going forward to, as he said, the 'pie chucker', and then Sean, the Nomads' power hitter was caught for one.
Coming off for drinks, the Nomads were 53-6, still needing 48 for victory. At the crease were Ben H and debutant Keeyon. Interestingly, the field was set relatively deep. There were no close catchers, so the singles were on. The two batsmen set about their task, with Keeyon (10) striking a powerful blow literally straight through mid-wicket for four. However, he attempted the very strange shot at the next delivery, and connected even better. Unfortunately, mid-wicket was able to hold onto a low catch struck hard at him. 67-7 after 23 overs. Second debutant Martin (0) arrived at the crease to meet Ben, but was run out taking a second run. 70-8 after 24. Thus Ben was joined by Glenny, who was finally making his debut for the Nomads. Glenny batted without fear while Ben played an anchor role. For the next six overs, Glenny swung, pulled and drove anything short of length or wide for four. The Nomads edged ever closer, as the banter from the West Indian contingent of the team, ably supported by everyone else bellowed their approval, and sometimes their disapproval at the batsmen's shots selection! An atmosphere was truly created, and the game was truly on! The writer was standing as one of the onfield umpires, and could barely contain his excitement, jumping around whenever a boundary was struck! At the end of the 29th over, the score was 92-8. 9 needed from 11 overs...
Ben H (11) had played a pivotal role in this lower order revival, defending his stumps with dogged resistance. His resolve was finally broken as he was bowled by spinner Martin in the 30th over with 8 still needed. Joining Glenny was our 4th debutant Akill, brother of Keeyon. He responded with 3 off the last 2 balls of the 30th over, taking the strike on the 31st needing just 6 for victory. Swapping singles with Glenny, he returned to the crease for the fourth ball of the 31st over with just four needed. It was one shot, or one ball. Standing at the umpire's end, the writer took a deep breath, as did everyone present. This game had had everything, and now, no matter what the result would turn out to be, the game of cricket had been faithfully represented by these two teams out in West London. Adam, the Exiles' saviour with the bat, had taken off his wicketkeeper's pads and ambled in to bowl. Akill's eyes steadied on the bowler - a quiet had descended upon the field. Even the birds had stopped singing. The ball pitched just outside the off stump, but was at a driveable length. Akill stepped into it and drove low and hard between mid-off and extra cover. The ball raced away to the boundary as Akill ran down to the non-striker's end, hugging yours truly upon his arrival! Glenny ran up the other end and grabbed a stump out of the ground - the fact that it belonged to the opposition mattered not - and the Nomads were off their heads with delirium! This was probably the most exciting game the Nomads had participated in in their short lives, and the Exiles were very gracious in defeat. Smiles all round...
HOBGOBLIN NOMADS v Dulwich 2nd XI Sunday 26th June 2011 at Belair Park
After the euphoria of the inaugural test victory a week previously on the same ground, The Nomads were brought down to earth by Dulwich. Winning the toss and batting first on hot, sunny day, the Nomads got off to a bright start with Rory and Jack racing off with 21 after just three overs. But in the fourth over, disaster struck as Jack (8) was bowled by opener Ifthikar. Jamie walked to the crease and there began a period of introspection as the Nomads scored just 18 runs before Jamie (7) was caught off the bowling of other opener Asif. In the fifteenth, Rory (19) went LBW off the same bowler. Thus began the slide as Niro went for 6, Hiro for 5, debutant Arjuna for a duck, Danny for one, George for a duck. The bottom order, at 65-8 off 22 showed some brief resistance with Isaac making 20, alongside his cousin Shane 0 and newbie Parvej 2. Bowled out for just 94, the Nomads retired to the boundary bloodied but unbowed. But not for long.
The opposition did not take long to reach their target, raching it for the loss of just four wickets, with the four bowlers used (Niro, Arjuna, Jamie and Isaac) taking a wicket apiece.
Next stop, the Exiles away...
The opposition did not take long to reach their target, raching it for the loss of just four wickets, with the four bowlers used (Niro, Arjuna, Jamie and Isaac) taking a wicket apiece.
Next stop, the Exiles away...
Saturday, 16 July 2011
HOBGOBLIN NOMADS v The Unavoidables - 'The Test' 18th and 19th June 2011 at Belair Park
And so the Nomads arrived at probably the most eagerly anticipated cricket match of each of these young cricketers' lives. A two day 'Test Match' against The Unavoidables; a team which, at the end of the inaugural season, had been swept away with relative ease. But just a week later, with a side shorn of many of its stars, the Nomads were summarily dismissed by the very same side, to leave the Nomads staring philosophically into the unforgiving bleak distance of a first off-season. Thus it was with the same pragmatism that the Nomads entered this match, what with the batting collapse two weeks before, and with overhead conditions immediately making clear which way a successful coin toss would determine the two skippers' choice. The opposition captain, T Bowtell was victorious and elected immediately to bat.
Rory and Jack opened up again for the Nomads, in cool, damp conditions. The ball began to move around straight away, and there was some irregular bounce at the Beauberry House end, as the Nomads had become used to. Bowlers C Webb and S Thornton opened up, with the latter striking in just his second over, as Jack (1) was bowled with the score at 5-1 after two overs. Rory was moving the ball around with new man in Tristan, but in the fifth over, Tristan (2) was given out LBW to the ever-improving Webb. The skipper Niro joined Rory at the crease at 14-2, but just a few balls later was caught one-handed in the slips by Thornton off Webb with the score now at 15-3. Sean, who surely can't have expected to be in so early joined Rory at the crease, but then the hammer blow was struck, as Rory (10), looking good for his money was caught behind off Webb. 15-4 after seven overs.
Debutant Aza strode purposefully to the crease, having not lifted a bat in anger for six long years. His batting style soon suggested to both the opposition, his own teammates and crucially, his partner at the other end Sean that a counter-attack could and needed to be on the cards. Aza immediately brought a Test Match batting head to the crease. He left anything he wasn't sure about, defending anything he was sure about, and played straight to everything else. The opposition were then made to remember the horror show that Sean had exacted on them with the bat nine months ago. His first scoring shot was an imperious pull through mid-wicket for four, and the field positioning went out of the window. There were further fours and a six from the Unavoidables' nemesis, as Aza played patiently at the other end. The score began to improve, and suddenly a sense of stability was slowly being restored. A bowling change had to come; although the opening duo were keeping the overall run rate down, tiredness was beginning to show. After his first over going for just one run, medium pacer Jesse started off at Sean. His third ball was smashed past mid-off for four. Two balls later, Sean tried to lift the bowler back over his head, but his drive was a touch too flat in height, and the bowler took a superb catch at full stretch. The innings had lost its frontman for a valiant and daring 33, his contribution key in the context of what was yet to happen. Two overs later, his foil Aza (12) was bowled by Jesse, with a delivery that seamed across Aza to take his off peg. The two middle order batsmen had taken the Nomads from 15-4 after seven overs, to 63-5, a 48 run partnership after 21 overs, and then 64-6 during the 23rd. Both new batsmen George(0) and Danny(0) were unfortunately unable to stem the flow, as they departed in consecutive overs.
With the score at 64-7, Russell(4 not out) and Isaac were in. Isaac went soon after for 3, and then the rain came. An early lunch was taken, and an hour and a half was spent in the dressing room. Finally, the sun came out, and the decision was taken to go back out at 3.30, with tea to be taken at 5pm. New man Ben Hodge(6) opened his account with one of the shots of the match, a flat batted six back over the head of the skipper Bowtell. But very soon after, the innings came to its terminal end, with the Nomads making 77 runs. The pragmatism came back in, as the Nomads knew that they had a scandalously fantastic bowling attack, and a pitch full of demons for the opposition to deal with.
Six overs of high-class fast bowling from the tireless Sean and Isaac pinned down Unavoidables openers Webb and Dormer to 2-0. Isaac's first five overs were maidens, as were four in a row from Sean. It was in the seventh over, and Sean's fourth, that Dormer was bowled through the gate. And the fifth in the row of Isaac's maidens yielded the key wicket of Webb, easily the best batsman on paper for the opposition. He had not looked in sorts against the pinpoint accuracy of Sean (2-30), and the fast, skiddy round the wicket bowling of Isaac. Isaac struck again in his ninth over, with another wicket maiden to take the wicket of number three R Bedford. On at first change was Tristan (1-25), who duly obliged with a wicket in his first over,with Lee being caught. Isaac (3-19) picked up his final wicket in his following over, bowling vice skipper Quirke. The score was 25-5 when known danger batter Thornton, and the stoic T McDonnell (dep boss of Niro at work) came in. Thornton proceeded to play his usual game of cross batting anything through and over mid-wicket and square leg. Much like in the previous innings, the chalk and cheese contrast of the two batsmen helped the opposition to launch a counter offensive. McDonnell particularly was employing a Trottesque tactic to his batting, scoring at a minuscule rate. But it was his time spent at the crease that offered good value to his team, as Thornton came and went for 37, and then French, playing an enterprising 22 was run out. By this time, the skipper had persisted with just the four bowlers, and the immoveable McDonnell had started to get the Nomads questioning when this team would finally fold when Russell, who had bowled a respectable six overs for just 13 runs approached him and suggested that the skipper himself should target McDonnell with his own bowling. 'He's not attacking' said Russell, adding that spin would invite the batsman to get ideas above his station. After a scratchy first over had gone for eight, the second over would provide the breakthrough. A looping delivery that drifted to leg held firm on the bounce and took McDonnell's middle stump, igniting a quick fall of the final three wickets, with Niro (3-9) bowling his opposite number Bowtell with the final delivery of the day. The Unavoidables had been toppled for a mere 117 but held a crucial 40 run lead overnight...
The Nomads went into bat on a sunny morning, knowing full well of the conditions that awaited them out in the middle. The task was simple. Get to 40 for as little loss as possible and build from there. Aza was promoted to open with Rory, and the two men got the runs going from the off, with some fine cuts and pulls for four by Rory. However, in the sixth over, Aza was removed LBW for 3, with the score at 17-1. The scoring continued to progress despite the fall of the first wicket, and six overs had passed when the Nomads reached parity. Tristan's enterprising knock had also reached its end (9), with the score at 40-2 after 12 overs. Skipper Niro came out to join Rory, but in the 14th over, Rory was bowled by Thornton for 14. Thornton had been the chief wicket taker, and would go on to register a six wicket haul (6-56). First innings hero Sean joined his captain at the crease, and the two men set about lifting the Nomads' lead. Sean played his natural, destructive game, whilst Niro played the anchor role. Their partnership was crucial - 70 runs in 14 overs took the Nomads to 114-4 when the skipper had a nibble at one too many and was caught in the slips yet again for a painstaking 22. New men George and Jack went for 4 and 2 respectively, both victims of Thornton, before Sean was finally dismissed for a career-best 46, off the bowling of Webb. 128-6, a lead of 88. The tail end of the lineup wagged, with a couple of cameo partnerships between Isaac (13) and Ben, and then Ben (9) and debutant sub Chris (1). Russell came and went for 3, but the tail end had lifted the Nomads' lead from 88 to 125, setting the Unavoidables 126 for victory, a target that now looked eminently defendable given the lethal cocktail of Nomad bowling and fielding, a deteriorating pitch and a brittle batting lineup...
What was to follow was the stuff of legend. In the fifth over, mouthy opener Dormer was clean bowled by Sean. He had previously referred to the Nomad on field banter and sledging as surprising given their first innings score of 77. The batting order had however been changed. Coming up a place to three was Lee, who made it known that he was going to swing, edging a few over the point region for singles. Isaac, as economical as ever, had asked the skipper to move back from mid to long off. Lee (12) duly launched into an lofted off drive which landed straight into the fielder's hands. Game on, with McDonnell and Andrews in bat. Neither were able to get into double figures and were dismissed caught and LBW by Sean and Isaac respectively. It has to be said that at this point, the colourful banter instigated throughout the game by Aza started to come into its own. Upon sensing that the two opening bowlers were embarking on a race for a five-for, he invited the potential winner for a bout of post-match 'noshing'. Isaac managed to take 3-41, but Sean steamrollered the opposition, taking record figures of 7-29. The Unavoidables never looked like reaching their victory target with Sean and Isaac finishing the job alone, as their teammates watched on, taking the occasional catch! 71 was the final score, with a victory margin of 53 runs! The Nomad spirit had never burnt brighter as they trudged off into the sunset to toast their famous victory. Two long days of cricket had produced a great game, with real ebbs and flows, but with one team dominant over the other.
Rory and Jack opened up again for the Nomads, in cool, damp conditions. The ball began to move around straight away, and there was some irregular bounce at the Beauberry House end, as the Nomads had become used to. Bowlers C Webb and S Thornton opened up, with the latter striking in just his second over, as Jack (1) was bowled with the score at 5-1 after two overs. Rory was moving the ball around with new man in Tristan, but in the fifth over, Tristan (2) was given out LBW to the ever-improving Webb. The skipper Niro joined Rory at the crease at 14-2, but just a few balls later was caught one-handed in the slips by Thornton off Webb with the score now at 15-3. Sean, who surely can't have expected to be in so early joined Rory at the crease, but then the hammer blow was struck, as Rory (10), looking good for his money was caught behind off Webb. 15-4 after seven overs.
Debutant Aza strode purposefully to the crease, having not lifted a bat in anger for six long years. His batting style soon suggested to both the opposition, his own teammates and crucially, his partner at the other end Sean that a counter-attack could and needed to be on the cards. Aza immediately brought a Test Match batting head to the crease. He left anything he wasn't sure about, defending anything he was sure about, and played straight to everything else. The opposition were then made to remember the horror show that Sean had exacted on them with the bat nine months ago. His first scoring shot was an imperious pull through mid-wicket for four, and the field positioning went out of the window. There were further fours and a six from the Unavoidables' nemesis, as Aza played patiently at the other end. The score began to improve, and suddenly a sense of stability was slowly being restored. A bowling change had to come; although the opening duo were keeping the overall run rate down, tiredness was beginning to show. After his first over going for just one run, medium pacer Jesse started off at Sean. His third ball was smashed past mid-off for four. Two balls later, Sean tried to lift the bowler back over his head, but his drive was a touch too flat in height, and the bowler took a superb catch at full stretch. The innings had lost its frontman for a valiant and daring 33, his contribution key in the context of what was yet to happen. Two overs later, his foil Aza (12) was bowled by Jesse, with a delivery that seamed across Aza to take his off peg. The two middle order batsmen had taken the Nomads from 15-4 after seven overs, to 63-5, a 48 run partnership after 21 overs, and then 64-6 during the 23rd. Both new batsmen George(0) and Danny(0) were unfortunately unable to stem the flow, as they departed in consecutive overs.
With the score at 64-7, Russell(4 not out) and Isaac were in. Isaac went soon after for 3, and then the rain came. An early lunch was taken, and an hour and a half was spent in the dressing room. Finally, the sun came out, and the decision was taken to go back out at 3.30, with tea to be taken at 5pm. New man Ben Hodge(6) opened his account with one of the shots of the match, a flat batted six back over the head of the skipper Bowtell. But very soon after, the innings came to its terminal end, with the Nomads making 77 runs. The pragmatism came back in, as the Nomads knew that they had a scandalously fantastic bowling attack, and a pitch full of demons for the opposition to deal with.
Six overs of high-class fast bowling from the tireless Sean and Isaac pinned down Unavoidables openers Webb and Dormer to 2-0. Isaac's first five overs were maidens, as were four in a row from Sean. It was in the seventh over, and Sean's fourth, that Dormer was bowled through the gate. And the fifth in the row of Isaac's maidens yielded the key wicket of Webb, easily the best batsman on paper for the opposition. He had not looked in sorts against the pinpoint accuracy of Sean (2-30), and the fast, skiddy round the wicket bowling of Isaac. Isaac struck again in his ninth over, with another wicket maiden to take the wicket of number three R Bedford. On at first change was Tristan (1-25), who duly obliged with a wicket in his first over,with Lee being caught. Isaac (3-19) picked up his final wicket in his following over, bowling vice skipper Quirke. The score was 25-5 when known danger batter Thornton, and the stoic T McDonnell (dep boss of Niro at work) came in. Thornton proceeded to play his usual game of cross batting anything through and over mid-wicket and square leg. Much like in the previous innings, the chalk and cheese contrast of the two batsmen helped the opposition to launch a counter offensive. McDonnell particularly was employing a Trottesque tactic to his batting, scoring at a minuscule rate. But it was his time spent at the crease that offered good value to his team, as Thornton came and went for 37, and then French, playing an enterprising 22 was run out. By this time, the skipper had persisted with just the four bowlers, and the immoveable McDonnell had started to get the Nomads questioning when this team would finally fold when Russell, who had bowled a respectable six overs for just 13 runs approached him and suggested that the skipper himself should target McDonnell with his own bowling. 'He's not attacking' said Russell, adding that spin would invite the batsman to get ideas above his station. After a scratchy first over had gone for eight, the second over would provide the breakthrough. A looping delivery that drifted to leg held firm on the bounce and took McDonnell's middle stump, igniting a quick fall of the final three wickets, with Niro (3-9) bowling his opposite number Bowtell with the final delivery of the day. The Unavoidables had been toppled for a mere 117 but held a crucial 40 run lead overnight...
The Nomads went into bat on a sunny morning, knowing full well of the conditions that awaited them out in the middle. The task was simple. Get to 40 for as little loss as possible and build from there. Aza was promoted to open with Rory, and the two men got the runs going from the off, with some fine cuts and pulls for four by Rory. However, in the sixth over, Aza was removed LBW for 3, with the score at 17-1. The scoring continued to progress despite the fall of the first wicket, and six overs had passed when the Nomads reached parity. Tristan's enterprising knock had also reached its end (9), with the score at 40-2 after 12 overs. Skipper Niro came out to join Rory, but in the 14th over, Rory was bowled by Thornton for 14. Thornton had been the chief wicket taker, and would go on to register a six wicket haul (6-56). First innings hero Sean joined his captain at the crease, and the two men set about lifting the Nomads' lead. Sean played his natural, destructive game, whilst Niro played the anchor role. Their partnership was crucial - 70 runs in 14 overs took the Nomads to 114-4 when the skipper had a nibble at one too many and was caught in the slips yet again for a painstaking 22. New men George and Jack went for 4 and 2 respectively, both victims of Thornton, before Sean was finally dismissed for a career-best 46, off the bowling of Webb. 128-6, a lead of 88. The tail end of the lineup wagged, with a couple of cameo partnerships between Isaac (13) and Ben, and then Ben (9) and debutant sub Chris (1). Russell came and went for 3, but the tail end had lifted the Nomads' lead from 88 to 125, setting the Unavoidables 126 for victory, a target that now looked eminently defendable given the lethal cocktail of Nomad bowling and fielding, a deteriorating pitch and a brittle batting lineup...
What was to follow was the stuff of legend. In the fifth over, mouthy opener Dormer was clean bowled by Sean. He had previously referred to the Nomad on field banter and sledging as surprising given their first innings score of 77. The batting order had however been changed. Coming up a place to three was Lee, who made it known that he was going to swing, edging a few over the point region for singles. Isaac, as economical as ever, had asked the skipper to move back from mid to long off. Lee (12) duly launched into an lofted off drive which landed straight into the fielder's hands. Game on, with McDonnell and Andrews in bat. Neither were able to get into double figures and were dismissed caught and LBW by Sean and Isaac respectively. It has to be said that at this point, the colourful banter instigated throughout the game by Aza started to come into its own. Upon sensing that the two opening bowlers were embarking on a race for a five-for, he invited the potential winner for a bout of post-match 'noshing'. Isaac managed to take 3-41, but Sean steamrollered the opposition, taking record figures of 7-29. The Unavoidables never looked like reaching their victory target with Sean and Isaac finishing the job alone, as their teammates watched on, taking the occasional catch! 71 was the final score, with a victory margin of 53 runs! The Nomad spirit had never burnt brighter as they trudged off into the sunset to toast their famous victory. Two long days of cricket had produced a great game, with real ebbs and flows, but with one team dominant over the other.
Thursday, 16 June 2011
HOBGOBLIN NOMADS v East London Community Cricket Club at Greenwich Park, June 5th 2011
Hobgoblin Nomads 74 (Sean 16, James 9) v ELCCC 40-1. Match abandoned
After a day to forget when a double booked pitch meant the Nomads played in a fruitless and eventually uncompleted four way 15/15 tournament, the team marched on to play ELCCC at Greenwich Park. Winning the toss, the Nomads elected to bat first and try to establish some sort of advantage against the opposition, with rain forecast later on in the day. Shorn of both number two batsmen Jack and Tristan, regular opener Rory opened with Jamie, promoted from number three to opener. Within a couple of overs, the Nomads were two down. In the second over, Jamie was caught off the bowling of David, a bowler of miltary style medium pace. It was in his second over that the ball really started to talk. Sending down a slowish delivery outside the off stump, the ball dipped and swerved in off the bounce to remove Rory's off bail. The score was 14-2 off four overs.
James and Niro negotiated the following maiden over from skiddy bowler Syed and started to push the ball around in the following over until the Nomads suffered a double blow in the seventh over. James was done by a peach of a delivery from Syed which pitched on a good length a foot outside off stump. It then jagged back in off the seam and hit the middle stump, with the batsman flummoxed after taking what seemed like a reasonable decision to leave the ball. In next ball was the returning from injury Jonny 'Safe Hands' Govender. And he was invited to walk straight back as a fullish ball from Syed left him static as the ball struck him low on the pad in front of middle. 22-4 off seven overs.
Another Nomad who was also nursing an injury was Ben Crawford, who joined Niro at the crease. Earlier, the Nomads skipper had been in a conversation out in the middle with James which centred around the need to just play safe, straight and see out the overs. In trundled David, sending down a slow inswinger which the skipper saw fit to try and launch out of the ground. He succeeded in nearly giving mid off a relatively simple catch. One life gone. And with the very next delivery, he tried to clear mid off with another reckless drive and ended up in the upstretched arms of the opposition fielder. As ELCCC celebrated yet again, the feeling of disgust was tangible at the way Niro had surrendered his wicket. The squeeze was really on as Sean walked out to bat at 24-5. For the next three overs, he single-handedly raised the score to 36, when in the twelveth over, Ben was given out LBW to first change bowler Sam. Debutant Ben Isted walked in after a near seven year sabbatical from the game. Sean and Ben set about rebuilding the innings, with both men playing the ball around the park with some fine strokeplay and some clever running between the wickets. But in the fifteenth over, disaster struck again as Ben was stumped off the bowling of opposition skipper Iqbal, going after one too many tantalising loopers outside the off stump. 53-7.
Sean was then joined at the crease by his good friend Danny. Again, the two Nomads continued the slight accumulation until in the eighteenth, Sean was stumped spinner Abu's bowling. Georgie Roots joined Danny and was very soon back in the hutch after been found LBW off new bowler Sai. Alex was able to stroke five more until he became Sai's second victim as the Nomads were dismissed for just 74, off just half of their allocated overs. It was true to say that there were certainly some unwelcome demons in the pitch, with irregular bounce once again rearing its ugly head, but the Nomads walked out to defend their effort with bowed heads.
Regardless of what had gone before, the Hobgoblin Nomads resolved to try and defend their total with controlled aggression, and with attacking close fields, trying to make the opposition hit over to score. They weren't going to lie down and capitulate - the bowling and fielding of the Nomads had always been top class. After a couple of overs, the only scoring balls had been a streaky edge and byes when an edge to gully was put down by Ben I. The Nomads shook it off and were right behind their man when the 'Bloodletter' Alex McArdle finally reaped reward for aggressive, fast bowling when Iqbal played on to a finely disguised slower ball from the tall speedster. ELCCC's number three came out to the middle and struck a good pull shot to the deep mid-wicket boundary, but that was about it in terms of deserving shots. Nevertheless, they reached the thirties when drizzle started coming down. An over later, with the score on 40-1, the umpires conferred and made the only decision they could, by pulling both teams off for a rain break. It was to be the day's only rain break, as no further play was possible.
Plans were made to stage a rematch between both teams, as the Nomads replaced the square ropes and rods. The result was called match abandoned, and the Nomads walked away still unbeaten on home soil this season. The Nomads batting had been where it had gone wrong, but these batsmen are of the finest calibre and are bound to bounce back in the biggest game of them all - the Test Match...
After a day to forget when a double booked pitch meant the Nomads played in a fruitless and eventually uncompleted four way 15/15 tournament, the team marched on to play ELCCC at Greenwich Park. Winning the toss, the Nomads elected to bat first and try to establish some sort of advantage against the opposition, with rain forecast later on in the day. Shorn of both number two batsmen Jack and Tristan, regular opener Rory opened with Jamie, promoted from number three to opener. Within a couple of overs, the Nomads were two down. In the second over, Jamie was caught off the bowling of David, a bowler of miltary style medium pace. It was in his second over that the ball really started to talk. Sending down a slowish delivery outside the off stump, the ball dipped and swerved in off the bounce to remove Rory's off bail. The score was 14-2 off four overs.
James and Niro negotiated the following maiden over from skiddy bowler Syed and started to push the ball around in the following over until the Nomads suffered a double blow in the seventh over. James was done by a peach of a delivery from Syed which pitched on a good length a foot outside off stump. It then jagged back in off the seam and hit the middle stump, with the batsman flummoxed after taking what seemed like a reasonable decision to leave the ball. In next ball was the returning from injury Jonny 'Safe Hands' Govender. And he was invited to walk straight back as a fullish ball from Syed left him static as the ball struck him low on the pad in front of middle. 22-4 off seven overs.
Another Nomad who was also nursing an injury was Ben Crawford, who joined Niro at the crease. Earlier, the Nomads skipper had been in a conversation out in the middle with James which centred around the need to just play safe, straight and see out the overs. In trundled David, sending down a slow inswinger which the skipper saw fit to try and launch out of the ground. He succeeded in nearly giving mid off a relatively simple catch. One life gone. And with the very next delivery, he tried to clear mid off with another reckless drive and ended up in the upstretched arms of the opposition fielder. As ELCCC celebrated yet again, the feeling of disgust was tangible at the way Niro had surrendered his wicket. The squeeze was really on as Sean walked out to bat at 24-5. For the next three overs, he single-handedly raised the score to 36, when in the twelveth over, Ben was given out LBW to first change bowler Sam. Debutant Ben Isted walked in after a near seven year sabbatical from the game. Sean and Ben set about rebuilding the innings, with both men playing the ball around the park with some fine strokeplay and some clever running between the wickets. But in the fifteenth over, disaster struck again as Ben was stumped off the bowling of opposition skipper Iqbal, going after one too many tantalising loopers outside the off stump. 53-7.
Sean was then joined at the crease by his good friend Danny. Again, the two Nomads continued the slight accumulation until in the eighteenth, Sean was stumped spinner Abu's bowling. Georgie Roots joined Danny and was very soon back in the hutch after been found LBW off new bowler Sai. Alex was able to stroke five more until he became Sai's second victim as the Nomads were dismissed for just 74, off just half of their allocated overs. It was true to say that there were certainly some unwelcome demons in the pitch, with irregular bounce once again rearing its ugly head, but the Nomads walked out to defend their effort with bowed heads.
Regardless of what had gone before, the Hobgoblin Nomads resolved to try and defend their total with controlled aggression, and with attacking close fields, trying to make the opposition hit over to score. They weren't going to lie down and capitulate - the bowling and fielding of the Nomads had always been top class. After a couple of overs, the only scoring balls had been a streaky edge and byes when an edge to gully was put down by Ben I. The Nomads shook it off and were right behind their man when the 'Bloodletter' Alex McArdle finally reaped reward for aggressive, fast bowling when Iqbal played on to a finely disguised slower ball from the tall speedster. ELCCC's number three came out to the middle and struck a good pull shot to the deep mid-wicket boundary, but that was about it in terms of deserving shots. Nevertheless, they reached the thirties when drizzle started coming down. An over later, with the score on 40-1, the umpires conferred and made the only decision they could, by pulling both teams off for a rain break. It was to be the day's only rain break, as no further play was possible.
Plans were made to stage a rematch between both teams, as the Nomads replaced the square ropes and rods. The result was called match abandoned, and the Nomads walked away still unbeaten on home soil this season. The Nomads batting had been where it had gone wrong, but these batsmen are of the finest calibre and are bound to bounce back in the biggest game of them all - the Test Match...
Monday, 23 May 2011
HOBGOBLIN NOMADS v Exiles, May 15th 2011
Hobgoblin Nomads beat Exiles by 5 wickets
Exiles 123 (Saad 33, Sujith 30/Niro 4-18, Rupert 2-7, Sean 1-11, Tristan 2-17)
Hobgoblin Nomads 124-5 (Rory 69, Tristan 22, Sean 9/Arijit 2-14)
After a well-earned week off, the Hobgoblin Nomads reconvened to play yet another new opposition team, The Exiles. The teamsheet read: Rory, Jack, Tristan, George, Rob, Niroshan, Sean, Ben C, Danny, Isaac and newcomer Rupert. Losing the toss, the Nomads were invited to bowl first. The conditions were cloudy, but with the threat of sunshine. Opening the bowling were Sean and Isaac, the latter opening the bowling in only his second game for the club. Both quickly assumed a tight line and length, and consistent accumulation became difficult for the opening batsmen.
In fact, the only runs coming were streaky edges through the slip and gully area, many of those evading the welcoming hands of the fielders in the office region. Fortunate edges to the boundary were helping the opposition go at just over three runs an over, but the lack of reward for such tight lines was a source of frustration for the Nomads. A well-timed cut went hurtling through the air towards Rupert who, at deepish point ran to his right and seemed to take the catch, but unfortunately his momentum caused him to drop the ball. Despair was written all over the face of the debutant, but his road to Damascus moment was yet to come...
In the tenth over, Isaac (1-29) bowled a peach of a delivery swinging away from the batsman outside off, edged into the hands of Jack at gully. From 34-1 after 10, the Nomads struck again when yet another mis-timed cut off the fiendishly accurate bowling of Sean (1-11) found its way into the willing hands of the skipper. 40-2 after 13. It was at this point that the opposition skipper named Sujith walked out to bat. He established a 57 run partnership with number two Saad which included a few dropped catches depriving Jack of a couple of wickets. This was brought to an end by Rob's catch off the bowling of the returning Tristan (2-17). Rob had earlier on just missed getting to a difficult bounce-in-the-face-breaking catch low down, and was thrilled to snare the skipper.
From 98-3 to 108-4! Nomads skipper Niro (4-18) had entered the fray, angry about dropping a catch in Tristan's previous over. The red mist accounted for leaking 10 off his first over, but not before he could take his first wicket. Number five Anupam picked a ball that pitched fullish on middle and leg and smote it hard and rising towards the air in the mid on region. Rupert, fielding at deepish mid on leapt with all his might and took the catch high up, spinning to fall and hit the ground in celebration! Thus began an amazing run of a hatrick of catches, with the third off Rupert's own bowling, taking the final wicket to end with figures of 2-7.
In between this was a ten over period where the opposition went from 108-4 in the 23rd to 123 all out in the 33rd. After an expensive first over, Niro (4-18) returned to take a further three wickets for just eight runs more, the first another catch at mid-wicket by Rupert, the next a slight turner that found a faint edge into Rory's hands. The delight on Rory's face confirmed that wicketkeepers love snapping those ones up, as was ! His fourth and final wicket was pure comedy. Isaac had brought down his friend Glenny, who upon hearing that Exiles were a man down, offered his services and strode out purposefully towards the middle. He mentioned something to the bowler about where he was going to put the ball. The ball was bowled, and looped up. The batsman looked up, licked his lips and then found himself watching the ball straight onto the base of the middle stump! Isaac was asked how much he had paid his friend. During this, Rupert (2-7) had picked up his maiden wicket with another smart catch off a leg glance by Rory, and he returned to take the final wicket, a caught and bowled. 124 to win...
Rory and Jack walked out to bat, knowing that they didn't have to break the bank to win this one for the Nomads. A circumspect start saw them quietly get to 12 off 5 overs, when disaster struck. Playing for the bounce, Jack (2) was left stuck in his crease as a ball that kept horribly low simply hit the stumps off the beleagured inside edge of his bat. Tristan came in at number three, wanting to atone for his first game duck, back on Royal Friday. And that he did, helping Rory to a 71 run partnership, before getting caught for a well crafted, patient 22. The end was in sight, 83-2 with just 41 needed off a further 15 overs.
George was next in, and found himself walking back to the pavillion after becoming involved in a run out incident. That brought Rob to the crease. Unfortunately, we were not able to see that huge frame send that ball into tomorrow, as his 'see ball, hit ball' policy left him hopelessly out of his crease to the spinner. The Nomads had gone from 83-1 to 84-4. Skipper Niro was next in to join Rory. They managed to take the game away from the Exiles, with Niro (6 not out) letting Rory take the role of 'bad cop'. Rory fell for 69, and with just 9 needed, Sean ( 9 not out/strike rate 300) nonchalantly hit two glorious boundaries, the first of which resulted in a ball change, and then a push to square leg to take it home yet again for the Hobgoblin Nomads. The juggernaut rolls on towards its South East London Derby Day fixture versus Blackheath on Bank Holiday Monday...
Exiles 123 (Saad 33, Sujith 30/Niro 4-18, Rupert 2-7, Sean 1-11, Tristan 2-17)
Hobgoblin Nomads 124-5 (Rory 69, Tristan 22, Sean 9/Arijit 2-14)
After a well-earned week off, the Hobgoblin Nomads reconvened to play yet another new opposition team, The Exiles. The teamsheet read: Rory, Jack, Tristan, George, Rob, Niroshan, Sean, Ben C, Danny, Isaac and newcomer Rupert. Losing the toss, the Nomads were invited to bowl first. The conditions were cloudy, but with the threat of sunshine. Opening the bowling were Sean and Isaac, the latter opening the bowling in only his second game for the club. Both quickly assumed a tight line and length, and consistent accumulation became difficult for the opening batsmen.
In fact, the only runs coming were streaky edges through the slip and gully area, many of those evading the welcoming hands of the fielders in the office region. Fortunate edges to the boundary were helping the opposition go at just over three runs an over, but the lack of reward for such tight lines was a source of frustration for the Nomads. A well-timed cut went hurtling through the air towards Rupert who, at deepish point ran to his right and seemed to take the catch, but unfortunately his momentum caused him to drop the ball. Despair was written all over the face of the debutant, but his road to Damascus moment was yet to come...
In the tenth over, Isaac (1-29) bowled a peach of a delivery swinging away from the batsman outside off, edged into the hands of Jack at gully. From 34-1 after 10, the Nomads struck again when yet another mis-timed cut off the fiendishly accurate bowling of Sean (1-11) found its way into the willing hands of the skipper. 40-2 after 13. It was at this point that the opposition skipper named Sujith walked out to bat. He established a 57 run partnership with number two Saad which included a few dropped catches depriving Jack of a couple of wickets. This was brought to an end by Rob's catch off the bowling of the returning Tristan (2-17). Rob had earlier on just missed getting to a difficult bounce-in-the-face-breaking catch low down, and was thrilled to snare the skipper.
From 98-3 to 108-4! Nomads skipper Niro (4-18) had entered the fray, angry about dropping a catch in Tristan's previous over. The red mist accounted for leaking 10 off his first over, but not before he could take his first wicket. Number five Anupam picked a ball that pitched fullish on middle and leg and smote it hard and rising towards the air in the mid on region. Rupert, fielding at deepish mid on leapt with all his might and took the catch high up, spinning to fall and hit the ground in celebration! Thus began an amazing run of a hatrick of catches, with the third off Rupert's own bowling, taking the final wicket to end with figures of 2-7.
In between this was a ten over period where the opposition went from 108-4 in the 23rd to 123 all out in the 33rd. After an expensive first over, Niro (4-18) returned to take a further three wickets for just eight runs more, the first another catch at mid-wicket by Rupert, the next a slight turner that found a faint edge into Rory's hands. The delight on Rory's face confirmed that wicketkeepers love snapping those ones up, as was ! His fourth and final wicket was pure comedy. Isaac had brought down his friend Glenny, who upon hearing that Exiles were a man down, offered his services and strode out purposefully towards the middle. He mentioned something to the bowler about where he was going to put the ball. The ball was bowled, and looped up. The batsman looked up, licked his lips and then found himself watching the ball straight onto the base of the middle stump! Isaac was asked how much he had paid his friend. During this, Rupert (2-7) had picked up his maiden wicket with another smart catch off a leg glance by Rory, and he returned to take the final wicket, a caught and bowled. 124 to win...
Rory and Jack walked out to bat, knowing that they didn't have to break the bank to win this one for the Nomads. A circumspect start saw them quietly get to 12 off 5 overs, when disaster struck. Playing for the bounce, Jack (2) was left stuck in his crease as a ball that kept horribly low simply hit the stumps off the beleagured inside edge of his bat. Tristan came in at number three, wanting to atone for his first game duck, back on Royal Friday. And that he did, helping Rory to a 71 run partnership, before getting caught for a well crafted, patient 22. The end was in sight, 83-2 with just 41 needed off a further 15 overs.
George was next in, and found himself walking back to the pavillion after becoming involved in a run out incident. That brought Rob to the crease. Unfortunately, we were not able to see that huge frame send that ball into tomorrow, as his 'see ball, hit ball' policy left him hopelessly out of his crease to the spinner. The Nomads had gone from 83-1 to 84-4. Skipper Niro was next in to join Rory. They managed to take the game away from the Exiles, with Niro (6 not out) letting Rory take the role of 'bad cop'. Rory fell for 69, and with just 9 needed, Sean ( 9 not out/strike rate 300) nonchalantly hit two glorious boundaries, the first of which resulted in a ball change, and then a push to square leg to take it home yet again for the Hobgoblin Nomads. The juggernaut rolls on towards its South East London Derby Day fixture versus Blackheath on Bank Holiday Monday...
Wednesday, 11 May 2011
HOBGOBLIN NOMADS v Bricklayers Arms of Putney May 2nd 2011
The final port of call for the Nomads on this weekend of cricket was Belair Park in Dulwich on Bank Holiday Monday. Belair Park is where the Nomads will be playing the bulk of their cricket, with this picturesque ground set to be their main home ground. The good fortune continued as Niro won his first toss of the season, electing to bat first on a wicket that seemed to have more holes than the Arsenal defence. Despite this early concern, the hot, beating sun on a relatively dry wicket got the Nomads licking their lips. The pitch would only deteriorate later on. This side featured yet more overseas debutants, namely Jamaican pace ace Isaac, and Kiwi all-rounder Richard Jones
Rory and Jack strode out to the wicket, looking every inch the confident opening pair. Those watching from the sidelines were treated to a batting masterclass by the Nomads' top order. The two openers cut, drove and scythed the Bricklayers' bowling to all corners, finding the boundary all too easily. By the time Jack had fallen for 29, caught off the bowling of Alvin Spencer(2-26) the Nomads were already on 58-1, comfortably going at over five an over. Jamie Stinson walked out at three and the two batsmen at the crease went on to score a further 55 run partnership. At the mid-innings break, all the talk was of a 250 plus score. Shortly afterwards, Rory went after one that he rued going for, and was sent back to the pavilion for a measured 30.
James, who only a few days earlier had failed to reproduce his 2010 form by getting out for a duck, walked out to join Jamie at the crease. For those of you that don't know, James played in the inaugural Nomads match v CAMRA last year and scored a maiden 60 odd. Expectations were high, as the bowling suggested that this was going to be an opportunity not to be missed. The two J's upped the run rate with lofted drives and pulls for six, giving the opposition an education in where not to bowl. They registered a record breaking 113 run partnership, dispatching some buffet cart bowling to all ends! Indeed, there were some questions posed to the home skipper as to whether a declaration might be in order. Upon seeing the looks on the faces of the crestfallen opposition, the thought of a declaration was a thought too damning to entertain...
When James finally fell for 70, it was left to Jamie to squeeze a few extra runs in the final over with Niro(1 n.o.) to end on a imperious 70 not out. The Nomads were able to post a fear inducing, mammoth score of 252-3. The opening bowling duo of McArdle and Denereaz, comparable with some of the great bowling duos of yesteryear opened up and soon had them at 6-1 after 2 overs with Sean combining with his brother in arms Rory, who took a fine catch behind the sticks. Let it be noted here that Rory wore more than a few balls on his helmet whilst keeping and batting, so props to him for continuing to stand up to some of our bowlers in the final two games. After 6 overs, it was The Bloodletter's turn (1-22) to come to the party, claiming the wicket of their number three, Caley, yet again to a marvellous catch by sticksman Rory. From 19-2 after 6, the away side collapsed further into oblivion at 34-3 and then 34-4 in the 12th and 13th. By this time, Jamie had entered the attack and wasted no time in notching up yet another victim.
Debutants Isaac (2-4) and Richard (1-10) weighed in with big maiden wickets for the team, with Isaac's skiddy pace hard to deal with and Richard's pace and bounce gliding past the edge of opposition bats far too easily. Isaac attempted a 30 yard run out, aiming at one stump and hit gold, but somehow the umpire felt it necessary to decline our impassioned pleas in order to 'prolong' the game, as he told the skipper. Still, the Nomad machine rolled on with mystery Sri Lankan spinner Hiro (1-3) - yes we have a Hiro and a Niro - who helped himself to an opposition wicket.
Danny Iacovou, hitherto a relatively untried bowler was thrown the ball by the captain. For a man of just a single year's experience, his spell (1-26) featured the final ball of the game, a pearler of a delivery that the batsman could only pop up to the hungry Hiro at square leg. The elation felt by all at this moment was quite something; a victory achieved with yet another opponent put to the sword, but moreover, a gentleman that had begun his cricketing life as a Nomad, now able to enjoy that feeling of taking a wicket - a testament to the work put in during the previous year. And a rather interesting run up, with a little kick of his leading leg, just before delivery...
The margin of victory was huge: a win by 154 runs. The Nomads had finally settled into their new, picturesque home, with a cricketing display of youthful exuberance, opulent strokemaking and lest
we forget bowling more accurate than a Black Ops bullet in Abbottabad. The stage is set for a record breaking summer, but there is still a long way to go. Roll on next game!
Rory and Jack strode out to the wicket, looking every inch the confident opening pair. Those watching from the sidelines were treated to a batting masterclass by the Nomads' top order. The two openers cut, drove and scythed the Bricklayers' bowling to all corners, finding the boundary all too easily. By the time Jack had fallen for 29, caught off the bowling of Alvin Spencer(2-26) the Nomads were already on 58-1, comfortably going at over five an over. Jamie Stinson walked out at three and the two batsmen at the crease went on to score a further 55 run partnership. At the mid-innings break, all the talk was of a 250 plus score. Shortly afterwards, Rory went after one that he rued going for, and was sent back to the pavilion for a measured 30.
James, who only a few days earlier had failed to reproduce his 2010 form by getting out for a duck, walked out to join Jamie at the crease. For those of you that don't know, James played in the inaugural Nomads match v CAMRA last year and scored a maiden 60 odd. Expectations were high, as the bowling suggested that this was going to be an opportunity not to be missed. The two J's upped the run rate with lofted drives and pulls for six, giving the opposition an education in where not to bowl. They registered a record breaking 113 run partnership, dispatching some buffet cart bowling to all ends! Indeed, there were some questions posed to the home skipper as to whether a declaration might be in order. Upon seeing the looks on the faces of the crestfallen opposition, the thought of a declaration was a thought too damning to entertain...
When James finally fell for 70, it was left to Jamie to squeeze a few extra runs in the final over with Niro(1 n.o.) to end on a imperious 70 not out. The Nomads were able to post a fear inducing, mammoth score of 252-3. The opening bowling duo of McArdle and Denereaz, comparable with some of the great bowling duos of yesteryear opened up and soon had them at 6-1 after 2 overs with Sean combining with his brother in arms Rory, who took a fine catch behind the sticks. Let it be noted here that Rory wore more than a few balls on his helmet whilst keeping and batting, so props to him for continuing to stand up to some of our bowlers in the final two games. After 6 overs, it was The Bloodletter's turn (1-22) to come to the party, claiming the wicket of their number three, Caley, yet again to a marvellous catch by sticksman Rory. From 19-2 after 6, the away side collapsed further into oblivion at 34-3 and then 34-4 in the 12th and 13th. By this time, Jamie had entered the attack and wasted no time in notching up yet another victim.
Debutants Isaac (2-4) and Richard (1-10) weighed in with big maiden wickets for the team, with Isaac's skiddy pace hard to deal with and Richard's pace and bounce gliding past the edge of opposition bats far too easily. Isaac attempted a 30 yard run out, aiming at one stump and hit gold, but somehow the umpire felt it necessary to decline our impassioned pleas in order to 'prolong' the game, as he told the skipper. Still, the Nomad machine rolled on with mystery Sri Lankan spinner Hiro (1-3) - yes we have a Hiro and a Niro - who helped himself to an opposition wicket.
Danny Iacovou, hitherto a relatively untried bowler was thrown the ball by the captain. For a man of just a single year's experience, his spell (1-26) featured the final ball of the game, a pearler of a delivery that the batsman could only pop up to the hungry Hiro at square leg. The elation felt by all at this moment was quite something; a victory achieved with yet another opponent put to the sword, but moreover, a gentleman that had begun his cricketing life as a Nomad, now able to enjoy that feeling of taking a wicket - a testament to the work put in during the previous year. And a rather interesting run up, with a little kick of his leading leg, just before delivery...
The margin of victory was huge: a win by 154 runs. The Nomads had finally settled into their new, picturesque home, with a cricketing display of youthful exuberance, opulent strokemaking and lest
we forget bowling more accurate than a Black Ops bullet in Abbottabad. The stage is set for a record breaking summer, but there is still a long way to go. Roll on next game!
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
HOBGOBLIN NOMADS v PHCC May 1st 2011
Coming off the back of a first game defeat, into their first home game at one of their two new home grounds and against their 'bogey team' the Prince's Head from Richmond, the odds looked to be heavily stacked against the Nomads, despite the opposition not retaining centurion Matt the Aussie Yellow Cap. Invited again to bowl first, the Nomads went into this game making 3 changes. Russell (0-17) was entrusted with the job of opening the bowling with Sean(2-15). Sean was soon engaging in his favourite pastime as he made short work of the 'Head's two openers Si and Ananda, with George Boulter taking a running, juggling catch at deep mid-wicket. His spell of 7 overs, 2-15 was sublime. Suddenly, one brought two, brought three, brought four, with normal service resuming as Jamie (2-30) entered the fray once more.
Jonny 'Safe Hands' Govender pulled off another hatrick, this time a hatrick of catches including one where he dived low to his left at square-leg to take an amazing one-handed, left hand catch. The Greenwich Park faithful were in delirium, as I can say were the Nomads! There was a middle order partnership between number three Tam(41) and skipper Matt(52), but Niroshan's 2-28 which included Luke Crimmens's first catch (with a broken finger, no less!) and newbie Tauseef who warmed up after a tentative first spell to claim his first three wickets for the team (3-47) helped clean up the tail. Russell Roberts's second spell helped to tag back the opposition from getting ideas above their station...
The Nomads now found that with 35 overs to play with, they needed to get 168 for victory. Rory(68) with his swashbuckling new partner Jack(2) set about winning the game. Disaster struck as Jack got a stinker of a delivery which jagged up off the wonky wicket to hit the top shoulder of his bat, and loop up to the willing short fielder on the off side. Jamie walked into bat, knowing that what was needed was quiet accumulation, and that was what he and Rory began to do.
This is where one has to applaud the skill and endeavour of our top order batsmen. Rory and Jamie(43) took the Nomads from a worrying 9-1 to a fantastic 113-2, a partnership of 104, which ebbed and flowed during when they went from 59 to 107 in five overs (ovs 17-21). As Jamie fell, skipper Niro walked in to greet a set Rory, who shortly after reached his first 50 of the year and his secomd for the Nomads. Twenty runs were added, but a googly and a flipper later, he was sent back to the pavillion for 68, with the score at 144 for 3.
The Nomads were still at this point a good 24 runs away from the victory, with 5 overs to play. Safe Hands strode to the crease and played one of his dismissive, trademark drives for four. Niro drove one through the covers, followed by a flick off his pads to the square-leg boundary. It was in the penultimate over that 'gloryhunter' Niro refused what looked like a comfortable single out to shortish mid-wicket. Stand-in umpire Luke was intimating to his batsmen that they were giving him and the crowd 'the fear'. Gasps of disbelief emanated from the crowds and teammates before a cover drive by the skipper(22 n.o.) broke PHCC hearts and their stranglehold on the Nomad/PHCC record, registering the first victory of the season for the Nomads.
The performance in the field by the Nomads was agreed by all to have been the finest seen in the short time that the Nomads have been together. The batting up top essentially took the game away from the opposition with the 104 second wicket partnership a new record. The Nomads headed back to the pub with the opposition to acknowledge a perfectly paced victory. Could they top this sterling performance against the Bricklayer's Arms at their other home ground in Dulwich? These were dizzying heights....
Jonny 'Safe Hands' Govender pulled off another hatrick, this time a hatrick of catches including one where he dived low to his left at square-leg to take an amazing one-handed, left hand catch. The Greenwich Park faithful were in delirium, as I can say were the Nomads! There was a middle order partnership between number three Tam(41) and skipper Matt(52), but Niroshan's 2-28 which included Luke Crimmens's first catch (with a broken finger, no less!) and newbie Tauseef who warmed up after a tentative first spell to claim his first three wickets for the team (3-47) helped clean up the tail. Russell Roberts's second spell helped to tag back the opposition from getting ideas above their station...
The Nomads now found that with 35 overs to play with, they needed to get 168 for victory. Rory(68) with his swashbuckling new partner Jack(2) set about winning the game. Disaster struck as Jack got a stinker of a delivery which jagged up off the wonky wicket to hit the top shoulder of his bat, and loop up to the willing short fielder on the off side. Jamie walked into bat, knowing that what was needed was quiet accumulation, and that was what he and Rory began to do.
This is where one has to applaud the skill and endeavour of our top order batsmen. Rory and Jamie(43) took the Nomads from a worrying 9-1 to a fantastic 113-2, a partnership of 104, which ebbed and flowed during when they went from 59 to 107 in five overs (ovs 17-21). As Jamie fell, skipper Niro walked in to greet a set Rory, who shortly after reached his first 50 of the year and his secomd for the Nomads. Twenty runs were added, but a googly and a flipper later, he was sent back to the pavillion for 68, with the score at 144 for 3.
The Nomads were still at this point a good 24 runs away from the victory, with 5 overs to play. Safe Hands strode to the crease and played one of his dismissive, trademark drives for four. Niro drove one through the covers, followed by a flick off his pads to the square-leg boundary. It was in the penultimate over that 'gloryhunter' Niro refused what looked like a comfortable single out to shortish mid-wicket. Stand-in umpire Luke was intimating to his batsmen that they were giving him and the crowd 'the fear'. Gasps of disbelief emanated from the crowds and teammates before a cover drive by the skipper(22 n.o.) broke PHCC hearts and their stranglehold on the Nomad/PHCC record, registering the first victory of the season for the Nomads.
The performance in the field by the Nomads was agreed by all to have been the finest seen in the short time that the Nomads have been together. The batting up top essentially took the game away from the opposition with the 104 second wicket partnership a new record. The Nomads headed back to the pub with the opposition to acknowledge a perfectly paced victory. Could they top this sterling performance against the Bricklayer's Arms at their other home ground in Dulwich? These were dizzying heights....
London Fields CC v Hobgoblin Nomads Apr 29th 2011
Finally, the day had come. After a false start on April 10th 2011, The Hobgoblin Nomads were finally able to wipe away the cobwebs and stride out into the sunshine of a Royal bank holiday to play London Fields in London Fields. It was the team's first trip to the heart of East London, and a small crowd had gathered before a ball had even been bowled and it grew as the day wore on. Losing the toss, the Nomads were invited to bowl first.
Out strode LFCC skipper Rhodri and his partner A. Smart. Waiting for them at either end were Messrs Denereaz and McArdle - the fearsome Nomad opening duo, pacemen of the highest order. Although Alex McArdle, affectionately known as the 'Bloodletter' drew first blood by removing the skipper for a duck, Smart had been making hay with several lusty, if fortuitous blows. Bowlers came and went as he continued to live dangerously.
It was the introduction of Tristan Bailey (2-45) and Jamie Stinson that prompted the fall of wickets. Jamie wowed the crowds, drunk on cricket and nationalism and produced one of the finest performances seen in a Nomad shirt with figures of 5-35 off 7 overs, including a hatrick, something never before witnessed in Nomad colours! Smart was a victim, sent back to the pavillion (Pub In The Park)for 67. Upon striking the hatrick, the Nomads knew that although the tide seemed to be turning, there was still work to be done.
It is at this point that one should mention the shot that Smart played, a half-lofted off drive hit straight at mid-off fielder Russell 'The Death' Roberts. As Russell dived to his right, the ball dipped, bounced and struck Russsel square in the face. He stayed down. Voices of concern were met with an eerie silence, until he muttered 'A-a-and here comes the blood!' He went off to stem the claret flow, and to post a picture on Facebook...
Despite notching up 100 from 12 overs, LFCC were only able to muster a further 80 runs in the 15 overs that it took for the Nomads to clean them up. 181 was the target and Rory Mansfield (34), progenitor of the 'Mansfield Cut' along with Tristan (0) were charged with setting up the chase. And it was from this point that things started to unravel for the Nomads. Tristan and James both departed for a duck and Jamie, hero with the ball for just 4. The opposition had brought on lanky leggie D. Krohn (4-35) who proved to be the architect of the Nomads' demise. Regular wickets fell despite the Nomads matching the run rate.
Rory and skipper Niroshan established a small partnership, but the decline became terminal, save for a sparkling lower order batting display as the crowd were entertained by Sean's dionysian batting(11), including a first ball six, Jack's debut knock(19) and Alex's measured 13.
Other moments of note included Nomad debutant Tauseef 'Here I Go Again' Chowdhury's catch a short mid-wicket off the wayward bowling of Niroshan, who with his other wicket had managed to successfully deploy his new mystery ball, the 'double drop long hop' which he had been lumbered with since the age of 13.
Thus beaten but unbowed, the Hobgoblin Nomads left London Fields taking postives from their first outing. Next up was to be their nemesis, their 'bogey' team, the Prince's Head from Richmond. Questions would surely be asked of the Nomads' glamourous top and middle order. Would they have the skills to pay those bills..?
LFCC (180 Smart 67, Rice 39, Stinson (5-35) beat HOBGOBLIN NOMADS (Mansfield 39, Jack 19, Niro 18, D. Krohn (4-35) by 53 runs
NB A big thumbs up to the boys from LFCC!
Out strode LFCC skipper Rhodri and his partner A. Smart. Waiting for them at either end were Messrs Denereaz and McArdle - the fearsome Nomad opening duo, pacemen of the highest order. Although Alex McArdle, affectionately known as the 'Bloodletter' drew first blood by removing the skipper for a duck, Smart had been making hay with several lusty, if fortuitous blows. Bowlers came and went as he continued to live dangerously.
It was the introduction of Tristan Bailey (2-45) and Jamie Stinson that prompted the fall of wickets. Jamie wowed the crowds, drunk on cricket and nationalism and produced one of the finest performances seen in a Nomad shirt with figures of 5-35 off 7 overs, including a hatrick, something never before witnessed in Nomad colours! Smart was a victim, sent back to the pavillion (Pub In The Park)for 67. Upon striking the hatrick, the Nomads knew that although the tide seemed to be turning, there was still work to be done.
It is at this point that one should mention the shot that Smart played, a half-lofted off drive hit straight at mid-off fielder Russell 'The Death' Roberts. As Russell dived to his right, the ball dipped, bounced and struck Russsel square in the face. He stayed down. Voices of concern were met with an eerie silence, until he muttered 'A-a-and here comes the blood!' He went off to stem the claret flow, and to post a picture on Facebook...
Despite notching up 100 from 12 overs, LFCC were only able to muster a further 80 runs in the 15 overs that it took for the Nomads to clean them up. 181 was the target and Rory Mansfield (34), progenitor of the 'Mansfield Cut' along with Tristan (0) were charged with setting up the chase. And it was from this point that things started to unravel for the Nomads. Tristan and James both departed for a duck and Jamie, hero with the ball for just 4. The opposition had brought on lanky leggie D. Krohn (4-35) who proved to be the architect of the Nomads' demise. Regular wickets fell despite the Nomads matching the run rate.
Rory and skipper Niroshan established a small partnership, but the decline became terminal, save for a sparkling lower order batting display as the crowd were entertained by Sean's dionysian batting(11), including a first ball six, Jack's debut knock(19) and Alex's measured 13.
Other moments of note included Nomad debutant Tauseef 'Here I Go Again' Chowdhury's catch a short mid-wicket off the wayward bowling of Niroshan, who with his other wicket had managed to successfully deploy his new mystery ball, the 'double drop long hop' which he had been lumbered with since the age of 13.
Thus beaten but unbowed, the Hobgoblin Nomads left London Fields taking postives from their first outing. Next up was to be their nemesis, their 'bogey' team, the Prince's Head from Richmond. Questions would surely be asked of the Nomads' glamourous top and middle order. Would they have the skills to pay those bills..?
LFCC (180 Smart 67, Rice 39, Stinson (5-35) beat HOBGOBLIN NOMADS (Mansfield 39, Jack 19, Niro 18, D. Krohn (4-35) by 53 runs
NB A big thumbs up to the boys from LFCC!
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