Result: Nomads won by 17 runs
Toss:   Nomads CC
Umpires:Claude Kensett 

Scorer: Various

Debut(s):None

While & Brockers put nomads in pole position

Nomads made the trip to Sendholme in Surrey on Sunday to play  Concorde.  However, upon arrival at the pretty ground baring  similarities with Middleton Stoney CC in terms of rural location, largely tree lined, and quirky club house, the weather decided to take a turn for the worst. Light drizzle turned to heavy rain and prospects of any cricket did not look good. A few of the Nomads players (Smith & Brockton in particular) decided to raid the bar and a fair few beverages were consumed while the rain continued to come down.  The home side were confident of play, and as the rain abated around 2:15pm stumps were put out and to the Nomads amazement the ground was dry (ish) and the pitch almost unharmed by the earlier deluge.

It was decided that due to the time lost a 35 over game would be played and Nomads skipper Andrew Smith decided to bat and Charlie Peerless and Doc Bell would open the batting, with James While at 3 and Tom Brockton at 4.  Unfortunately an early beamer unsettled Doc and he was soon bowled neck and crop by young seamer Wright. While and Peerless put on 40 runs in a positive fashion but the mixture of youth and experience of the home side stifled any chance of quicker runs with some impressive ground fielding. While was given a life on 21, a firmly hit drive popped in and out of the hands of Fernandes at mid-off. However Peerless was not to be as lucky as a corking delivery, once again from Wright, nipped back between bat and pad and he was on his way for 18.

While and Brockers looked to push up the rate, but an excellent spell from veteran leggie Fernandes kept them in check (although he did drop While again, this time at gully when on 63). The pair added 141 in the remaining 22 overs with While at his imperious best and striking the ball cleanly out of the ground on no less than 6 occasions. Brockers looked to push the single and then put away the bad ball and the re-introduction of Jordan Dyer only accelerated the rate.  While was bowled by the returning Wright for an excellent 108 off just 96 balls and Jamie Lane joined Brockers for the final two overs where additional runs were scored to get Nomads over 200, the final 2 balls of the innings both going to the boundary off the blade of Brockers who finished 65 not out.

Nomads in a commanding position at tea with 205 on the board, Concorde would have to go at 6 an over to overhaul this target.

Andrew Smith opened the bowling with Peerless and Surrey over 50/60’s seamer Oliver Croom-Johnson who was back in the fold after a nasty injury. Unfortunately Peerless failed to find his radar and his first 4 deliveries were thrashed to the boundary by the chirpy Freeman.  Croom-Johnson struck quickly to bowl the dangerous Fernandes and after Peerless was replaced by skipper Smith the runs started to dry up with both he and Croom-Johnson bowling accurately.

Brockton replaced O-CJ and also kept the runs tight,  going at well under 4 an over and Smith took the key wickets of Freeman and Wright to further push Concorde into the mire. The rate was now up at 8 an over and although some lusty blows were struck off Smith and the returning Peerless Concorde were always behind the rate.  While knocked over the lower-middle order with his medium-pace cutters to complete a memorable day for him  adding a 4 wicket haul to his earlier century and Andy “mighty mouse” Hill capped a fine day in the field with a superb run out.

Nomads won by 17 runs, to end a very enjoyable contest on a day where hardly any cricket was played in the Surrey area due to the late morning/early afternoon rain. A good session at the bar with our hospitable hosts followed but for the second year running former Nomads Rob Symondson was missing.We look forward to his return next year fit as a fiddle!

Previous Matches

2010 Nomads won by 4 wickets

2009 Concorde won by 6 wickets

2008 Concorde won by 5 wickets