One man show by Shaw

On arriving at the ground the opposition asked to play a 30 over match which we reluctantly agreed to. Longdon batted first and Nomads got off to a great start with Gibson getting a caught behind off his 1st ball. However things then went down hill. Shaw produced an excellent, although not chance free, innings hitting a rapid 82 in some 20 overs before being caught by an excellent catch by Mountford off a full-blooded cover drive. His partner lived a charmed life hitting the ball in the air just out of reach of the fielders but after he was out no else reached double figures. Mountford claimed 4 wickets. With not many bowlers in the side, Loxley bowled and after seeing the batsman dropped twice in 2 balls to fairly easy catches bowled him next ball. The innings reached 142 when with Shaw batting nearer 200 seemed probable.
Although the pitch was damp and holding up, the total seemed very getable. However the openers Gardner and Loxley both went cheaply. However ,Gibson and Bastable and then Rolfe managed to put on runs and the target looked attainable but Shaw began to strike as a bowler taking the next 3 wicket cheaply. Mountford and Cartwright kept things going but ran out of overs leaving Nomads 24 short.
Shaw was man of the match with 82 runs and 4 wickets and Mountford was the unanimous Nomads MVP with 21no and 4 wickets. This was another match , like Hilton, where Nomads could and should have done better.

[Disclaimer: Any offence caused by this article is unintentional, any praise is well deserved]

Date: 3 May 2026
Start time: 1:00pm
Venue: Buds Road, Rugeley
Competition: 30 overs friendly
Scores: Longdon 142 for 7, Lichfield Nomads 118
Result: Longdon won by 24 runs
Toss: Nomads won the toss and elected to bowl.
Scorer: J. Hoddy
Umpires: Various
Report: J. Hoddy
Weather: Dull

8 May 2026