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!
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