Match Report: 18/05/14 v Barnes Occasionals CC

Weight of runs too heavy for Barnes Occasionals

The Hobgoblin Nomads returned to Hilly Fields this week after a washed out draw in Raynes Park last week. Harry Cambage and James Taylor return to the team which were still looking for their first win of the season. The Barnes Occasionals, old friends of the Nomads brought a side missing some of their first team picks but looked competitive nonetheless.

On a glorious spring day captain Niz Sirisena won the toss and really had no choice but to bat and give Barnes 40 overs of basking in the heat, from the sun and from the Nomads top order. Dan Cambage and Gareth Thomas relished the opportunity and raced to 41 until Dan was bowled getting stuck on the back foot. Jamie Curme was pushed up the order to try and replicate his batting form of season’s past a-la Scott Borthwick but the plan failed to bear fruit this match, frustration getting the better of him during his six ball stay. Frustration was nowhere to be found in Gareth who only brought calm and serenity to the top order, looking much more at ease in the crease than he has all season. James Taylor showed no sign of abating his addiction to run scoring, smacking the ball to all parts of the ground picking up his second half century of the season.

James and Gareth put on a hundred run partnership and looked set for more until opposition skipper bought himself on for a cheeky bowl and it was his loosener, a 15 foot high ball that dropped through a stunned Gareth and allowed keeper Makatravicz to take a stumping to end Gareth’s innings of 39 of 79 deliveries. James departed soon after for 74 which brought Niz and Rob Logan to the middle assuming similar roles, Niz was the accumulator and Rob bamboozled the Barnes bowlers with a solid defence and a hair trigger leg side shot that sent any ball to the boundary at speed even on a sluggish outfield.

Catches behind the wicket snared both Niz and Adam Jones and at 198 for 6 Barnes looked to be getting some control back in the innings. Jake Sexton in at 8 today joined Rob and the two kicked it up a gear, no part of the field was defendable as Rob, 40 not out peppered the leg side and Jake, 32 not out off only 16 balls took care of the rest. The highlight of the last few overs was a sublime checked shot for six down the ground from Jake and the Nomads finished on 254 for 6.

The sun was still streaming down as the Nomads took to the field tasked with defending their total, their first targets were to remove the Barnes openers and the middle order. Will White came up the hill and Russell Roberts took the new ball down the hill and was soon causing problems. Barnes were not to know what hit them.

Russell is a canny bowler at the worst of times, cool as a cucumber after being hit for six and ready to put the ball back on the pitch next delivery with what seems like effortless control. At the best of times he is unplayable, saving a match last year with a penultimate over maiden against  a gun batsman with a license to swing. Metcalfe went first, caught. Skipper Price next, caught. No. 4 Kellock, bowled. Hughes, ct at gully by Gareth. Keeper Makatravicz ct Logan. Middle order gone and in their place was a career first Five-for for Russell. He finished with match figures of 6-2-15-5 gaining wickets for only three runs apiece. Needless to say the Man-of-the-Match was his.

Russell’s hustle combined with the tall run chase left Barnes in tatters. Good bowling and ruffled batsman earned Will two wickets for 17 runs. Jamie Curme (2-12) used variations in off-spin to get the last of the recognised batsman out and a smart stumping from Dan Cambage got another. Not to be completely upstaged by Russell, Rob Logan got the last say taking his debut wicket with his only straight ball to close out the match.

In the end the Nomads claimed a 194 run win, dismissing Barnes for only 60. This gave the Nomads their first win of the season and although the scoreline looks convincing, it was to the full credit of a hardworking team with the bat and ball.

Next week the Nomads host the other Hilly Fields based team, Millfields CC in a match being billed by locals as the Battle of Brockley. A performance like this will have Millfields on the ropes if they don’t bring their A-game.

Johnny Blonde is a former editor-in-chief of The Leopard and a relative of Nomads spin bowler Jamie Curme. 

Match Report 05/05/2014 v Edwardia XI

Veteran veterinarian’s valiant effort in vain

Photo: Friends of Hilly Fields

The Nomads returned to the Hilly Fields Oval on Monday to give New Cross its first taste of bank holiday cricket. The visiting team today were Edwardia XI who had neglected to bring a spin bowler but upon seeing a green wicket can’t have been too perplexed. The Nomads had the same eleven from Essex on Sunday except for Andy Schulze making way for John Hankinson, back in the country after returning from Australia.

Nomads captain Niz Sirisena, who usually has such luck in winning the toss had lost three in a row before this match but he was reasonably chipper going out to the middle with away captain Utkarsh. He returned just as chipper and informed the team with a smile that they were going out to bat. Dan Cambage and Gareth Thomas walked out to face opening bowlers Vickey and Daman who began by peppering the off side for a plethora of wides, giving the Nomads plenty of free runs. Scoring freely off the bat was another thing entirely however as despite short boundaries, longer than ideal grass had a distance sapping effect on the ball and accurate balls amongst the wide deliveries didn’t help either. Dan dug in at one end but Gareth continued his lean start to the season this time being unfortunate to be adjudged lbw off a ball hitting above the knee roll.

Batting for the first time at number three John Hankinson was up to the task, he knew already that runs had to be fought for on this wicket. Sun gave way to a haze which hovered over London for the rest of the day and the Nomads top order were looking at playing the long innings. Luckily for the Nomads, Vet John had more patience than patients this bank holiday and got singles and twos where they could be found and blocked the good balls out. Dan played well for 12 off 25 but fell to a catch off the bowling of Ankit. Captain Niz strode to the crease and got the biggest round of applause of the match after he survived his first ball, avoiding the second golden duck in a row and like Dan and John, had to dig in to score.

The match figures will tell you that Edwardia XI bowled an extra 4 overs worth of wides but not that the majority of the other balls were going on to hit the stumps which made getting into a batting groove difficult. No batsman bar Rob Logan who finished on 18 n.o. off 26 balls had a strike rate above 50 and you could have thought it was a test match as Niz scored 16 off 58 balls, Jake Sexton 1 off 9 and Will White 8 of 20. Despite that Niz and John put on a 50 run partnership and steadied the ship, so when Niz was caught by captain Utkarsh off of Prakesh (1-10), Rob Logan had time to get himself in and at the moment that is helping him get runs for the team. John kept the strike rotating and scored 7 fours across the sluggish outfield, top scoring with his club record of 40. He’d faced 85 balls and was eventually trapped on his crease by Shubham who bowled an excellent 4 over spell finishing with 2-8.

Another batsman who played his part only faced three balls but was responsible for 8 runs was Martyn Williams, occupying the Gilchrist spot at number 7. Bowler Ankit (3-11) turned up the heat in his second spell and had Jake bowled but Martyn played with intent only to see 4 byes slip by his bat face and 4 leg byes do the same. With a bit more time in the middle against pace, the emerging batsman would have seen them come off the bat and it won’t be long before Martyn, no stranger to a fight with a cricket ball, will triumph. Charlie McGinnes was out last ball of the innings trying to force a final boundary and the Nomads put 143 on the board for the loss of 8 wickets.

It was clear that Edwardia were going to go for the runs as quickly as possible from the off and the Nomads had to take early wickets to have a chance of winning the match. Tonker Robbie duly obliged Jake (2-40) as he was given out lbw coming across from leg stump and getting bat nowhere near the ball in the second over of Edwardia’s reply. Jake bowled with zip and venom but was a victim of his own success at times as balls clearly too good for the batsman ended up being edged for boundaries down to third man.

Will (2-21) did a great impersonation of Kate Bush, running up that hill as he so often does and removed two batsman with his left arm seamers. Niz in the slips reached wuthering heights as an outstretched hand clasped a catch of Will’s bowling and Niz was the most surprised that it was actually taken. He alongside Gareth continue to be the form fieldsman this season. Jamie Curme suffered a smashed fingernail stopping a ball at mid-off and injured it further failing to take a tough chance in the same position a few overs later and was struck off the bowling options for the team.

This opened the way for John Hankinson (4-23) to take the ball in the later overs as Utkarsh and Shubham were entrenching themselves in and were chipping off the runs. At the twenty over mark, Edwardia were 73-3 and halfway to getting to the target score. John bowled wicket-to-wicket firing balls down the corridor of uncertainty as if he owned it. After having a plum lbw decision turned down he persevered and had top scorer Shubham lbw for 25. John got them with good balls and he got them with bad balls, Jake catching a lofted shot from Akshul and Daman bowled of a perfect full ball for 13. In a seven over spell the veteran veterinarian pushed the Nomads close to an unlikely victory and he was ably supported by relentless lieutenants Russell Roberts (0-22) and Gareth (0-14). It was tense until the 36th over when some misfields allowed Monty Panesar lookalike Inder and Gun bowler Ankit to get the winning runs finishing on 11n.o. and 10n.o. respectively.

If there was a vote on who was man-of-the-match John would have been the standout candidate, highest run getter and wicket taker for either team and all from his first game this year. The pitch at Hilly Fields Oval is proving to be a very cruel mistress and the groundstaff and the Nomads batsman need to tame her very soon. But not too soon as the next match is away to the Old Wimbledonian Poets in Rayne’s Park.

Johnny Blonde is a former editor-in-chief of The Leopard and a relative of Nomads spin bowler Jamie Curme.

Match Report 04/05/2014 v Noak Hill Taverners

Essex proves a trip too far for New Cross's Nomads 

Test cricket was dealt a blow in South East London this bank holiday weekend as the match between the Hobgoblin Nomads and the Unavoidables was cancelled. Instead it was more of the 40 over diet as two emergency fixtures were arranged, the first of which was in leafy Noak Hill in Essex.

It was a homecoming of sorts for middle-order marauder Rob Logan who was desperate to show the land of his childhood a more mature version of himself both on and off the field. Logan was joined in the team by returning pace duo Will White and Russell Roberts both looking fresh and well rested. The Noak Hill Taverners led by Raj Jogia had a team for the generations capped off with septuagenarian wicketkeeper Dave Parker.

On a sunny day with a sky filled with nothing but midges the Taverners chose to bat upon winning the toss and Nomads captain Niz Sirisena marshalled his opening bowlers Jake Sexton and Will White into position. Batsmen French and O’Sullivan did what they had to do against the new ball and it wasn’t until Jake (1-24) tempted O’Sullivan with a vacant second slip that the edge was found and pocketed by Dan Cambage behind the stumps. In a shrewd move, spin was bought on first change which bore the second wicket as number three Raja couldn’t handle the heat and gave a slow but tough catch to Andy Schulze at mid off.

A middle order was held back by several unplayable deliveries from Charlie McGinnes (1-22) who accounted for second opener French and Russell Roberts (2-48) whose nagging line and length removed the dangerous Bellot for 12. While bruiser Roger Bayley was at the crease the Nomads were made to work hard in the field with Bayley often finding boundaries in the cracks. It wasn’t until a no nonsense spell from Will (2-42) switching ends that things began to swing back in favour of the Nomads. Bayley had his bails smashed by a beauty from Will and Khan fell in the same manner. Gareth Thomas operating from the other end took a leaf out of Will’s book and bowled skipper Jogia for 18. The Taverner’s innings ended on 230-8 with old hand Parker 2 n.o., giving the Nomads a high total to chase but it was a good batting wicket.

The only thing hindering Dan’s batting was the undergrowth on the boundary, with most of his 7 fours requiring Ray Mears to pop down and retrieve the ball before play could continue. With ten runs coming off the first over and 28 of the sixth and seventh overs the Nomads were definitely in the hunt. Despite losing Gareth early for 2, Dan and Jake were firmly behind the driving seat and more importantly, the ball. With the batsman set, a quick run turned into a mini-collapse as Jake was run out and skipper Niz got a rum’un first ball and was bowled. Times like these call for heroes and Essex’s own answered, Rob Logan defying his critics, brought maturity and composure to the crease. In keeping the bowlers at bay for 11 balls he tried their patience and bruised their egos, taking 23 runs off his next 11 balls.

After Dan departed for 45 there could have been another collapse but Andy Schulze wasn’t reading the script. Andy is known for his powerful striking, good cricket brain and prowess in the field. It was in Essex that you can now add a penchant for big runs to that list, it was an innings of strike rotating, rope clearing menagerie that really made a mark for the season. It was indeed, Andy’s highest score for the team, 47 off only 48 balls. Eventually keeping up with the run rate took its toll, as after Russell batted well for 9 down the order, returning opening bowler Khan (1-22) took the remaining will out of the Nomads, specifically Will White who was last man out bowled for 18.

With 5.75 runs an over needed, the Nomads managed 5.13 which is by no means unrespectable but wasn't quite enough to topple the Taverners. After this match the Nomads head directly back to familiar climes with a good squad and batsman with good runs under their belt.

Johnny Blonde is a former editor-in-chief of The Leopard and a relative of Nomads spin bowler Jamie Curme.
 

Match Report 26/04/2014 v St. Luke's CC

Stunning Debuts, Returns and Runs ruined by Sultan of St.Luke’s

The rain almost did away with this fixture but the sun shone on Hilly Fields allowing the home season for the Hobgoblin Nomads to get underway. Captain Niroshan ‘Niz’ Sirisena was still missing pace duo Will White and Russell Roberts but he was able to put debutant youngster Jake Sexton and absent test match star Sean Denereaz, who missed the 2013 season, into the side. Stalwart behind the stumps for much of 2013, Dan Cambage had a niggle and James Taylor took the gloves for the match

Losing the toss, Niz was able to press his new and returning recruits into action and they immediately caused problems for the St.Lukes batsmen. A damp pitch produced variable bounce, particularly from the Hill end and scoring was slow to begin with. Some athleticism from wicket keeper Taylor and the opening bowlers kept the batsman honest and quickly forced their wickets. Jake (4-26) had Yousaf caught behind flashing at the ball and a similar rush of blood accounted for St. Luke’s captain M Sultan who fell to a stunning leaping catch from Taylor off the bowling of Sean (1-19). The top order had no answer to Jake as three more fell to his Stokes-esque right arm seam, capping off a sublime bowling debut.

There were two hand of god moments as both Niz and opening bat Gareth Thomas took great catches in the slips. Coaches say to always use both hands when taking a catch but the Nomads were listening to a higher power that innings. Both were low one handed chances they had no business pouching. It’s performances from senior players like this that will drive the nomads fielding standards higher this season.

Gareth (1-21) and Niz (2-33) also pitched in with some great wickets of their own but it was third change bowler Harry Cambage that did for St.Luke’s hopes of an imposing total, as after an indifferent first over, Harry blew off the cobwebs to remove opposition keeper Riazun who had just scored his half century. Using untold amounts of guile and getting the ball to rear off a good length Harry proved to be a handful, bowling another player and finishing with (2-20). St. Lukes posted a slightly under par 144 all out and the sun was still shining giving the Nomads a good chance of a win.

If the Nomads opening bowlers were as classy and striking as the Chrysler building in New York then St.Lukes were the Empire State Building, more crude in appearance yes, but taller and steelier. Custons (2-21) and Harsh (2-19) bowled miserly spells giving nothing away to anyone but the most belligerent of batsman. It was an unfortunate start for Nomads. Gareth, as resolute as ever opening, tickled an away swinger behind to the keeper early departing for two. While Dan at the other end continued his search for fluency with the bat after a determined innings away last week but Custons found a way through his defence to bowl him for seven.

Things turned up for the Nomads as they happen to have one of the most belligerent of batsman, in the form of James Taylor. James supplied some greased lightning to the run rate hitting nine off his first four balls faced and was assisted initially by skipper Niz who batted well for his seven until a ball popped up for opposing captain Sultan to take at mid-wicket. The middle order came and went leaving the team 54 for 5 in the 18th over when James was joined at the crease by Jake, who while only getting seven runs contributed to a partnership of 47 in 5 overs which put the Nomads closer to the target of 145 with 101 runs on the board as Jake left.

James, going at a strike rate of 130 was the lynchpin of the side as wickets continued to tumble, no other batsman made over seven for the team. Things were looking good for the team and for James who in the 31st over hit a six over the hill to bring up a magnificent hundred. But when a single ran by number 10 Jamie Curme brought Taylor on strike to spinner Yousaf the same instinct cost him his wicket as he was bowled on 103 coming down the pitch. The Nomads were 143 for 9 when Jamie was joined at the crease by Charlie McGinnes, a last minute replacement for absent all-rounder Matt West when Sultan struck. Sultan, second highest wicket taker for the Surrey premier league last season came on 5th change due to a back complaint from last season but the only pain was for the Nomads. Bowling down the hill, he bowled full and straight to take the bails of Jamie’s wicket, to win the match for his team by one run.

It must have been painful for the Nomads to get so close and to fall at the final hurdle, though there were several positives to take from the match. A great fielding effort kept the total down to 144 in the first place and it's good to see the bowling unit so tight at the start of the year. It would appear the batsman have a few cogs to lubricate as runs need to be scored to master a tricky wicket at the Hilly Fields Oval.

The Hobgoblin Nomads look towards the two day Test match next week against rivals The Unavoidables as a means to get back to winning ways.

Johnny Blonde is a former editor-in-chief of The Leopard and a relative of Nomads spin bowler Jamie Curme.