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...
Monday, 23 May 2011
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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