HOBGOBLIN NOMADS v Google & Wapping Sunday July 31 at Greenwich Park

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.

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...