Nomads unable to clinch victory

The Nomads lost by 5 wickets to Trent Valley away at Armitage C.C.
Nomads posted 195, mainly thanks to 99 from Pete Gardner. He was agonisingly bowled off the last ball of the innings.
Trent Valley were behind the rate until the introduction of Beck who clubbed the bowling to all parts to ensure that the hosts reached their total.

Gardner and Rolfe opened the batting for the Nomads and Rolfe was dismissed first ball, bowled by Beck. Timmis bowled Bastable for 8, Shah was caught off the bowling of Timmis for 10
The steady fall of wickets at one end didn't phase Gardner who kept the score ticking over. Holmes was bowled by Mo for 16, Ferguson took three quick wickets to knock the stuffing out of the middle order. Clenton bowled for 9, Turnbull bowled for a duck and Pickering caught, also for a duck.
All this time Gardner was inching towards his century and was in his 80's when Fearon joined him at the crease. Fearon added 16 but was bowled by the returning Timmis. Hughes could only manage a single and Gardner was joined by last man Cartwright. The tension in the crowd was palpable as the balls were ticked off and Gardner was struggling to get much of the strike.
He was finally on strike for the last ball of the match, needing one run for his century, but he was clean bowled as he attempted the drive.
A fantastic innings in searing heat and his highest score since Trentside in June 2023.
Nomads score of 195 was seen as pretty competitive, given the low scoring matches in previous seasons against this opposition.

A proper cricket tea was enjoyed, especially the chocolate cake.

Hughes and Turnbull opened the bowling for the Nomads and the TV batters were watchful at first and then began to get more expansive as the innings progressed.
Cartwright replaced Hughes bowling down the hill and Fearon replaced Turnbull up the hill. The overs were ticking by and the required rate was steadily increasing.
Fearon, bowling a good line and length grabbed the first wicket clean bowling Timmis. Clenton then picked up three wickets, bowling Mo and Parker and trapping Jason John l.b.w., who we found out had represented GB at the Atlanta Olympic Games in the 4x100m relay.
At the second drinks break Trent Valley needed 75 off the last 10 overs; which made the Nomads slight favourites.
Beck had other ideas as he attacked the bowling mercilessly. He quickly reached 50 and took the game away from the Nomads with some powerful hitting.
With the scores level Turnbull grabbed a consolation wicket bowling Nasir I. But four byes was enough to seal the victory for TV.
The mood in the dressing room was sombre after a long session in the field, without reward, knowing that we could have earned the win. A few chances were put down, the bowling was not quite as accurate when it mattered near the end, against a quality league player, and keeping wicket was difficult with the uneven bounce.
[Disclaimer: Any offence caused by this article is unintentional, any praise is well deserved]

Date: 17 Aug 2025
Start time: 1:30pm
Venue: Armitage CC.
Competition: 40 overs friendly
Scores: Lichfield Nomads 195, Trent Valley 199 for 5
Result: Trent Valley won by 5 wkts
Toss: Lichfield Nomads won the toss and elected to bat.
Scorer: Darren Cartwright, Trent Valley
Umpires: Keith Stanley, Luke Turnbull, Dave Forster and Trent Valley
Report: Paul Fearon
Weather: Hot and sunny. Drinks at 15 and 30 overs.

18 Aug 2025