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...

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...