6/6/03 - Disappointing defeat for Nomads 1sts

WORCESTER NOMADS v

ASTWOOD BANK

The batsmen didn't live up to expectations, and despite the best efforts of the bowling department to recover the situation, the total was insufficient to defend. Opener Harris fell first ball, and Nomads never really recovered, despite the best efforts of Dixon (25) and Austin (27). Dimond and Williams showed some late determination, but the total of 122 never really looked enough.

The bowlers did their level best to claw the home side back into the game, and removed early wickets, through Jinks, Whitby, Williams and Austin. It was a match-winning stand however from Clayton, who remained unbeaten on 62, supported by Robinson with 23 who saw Bank to victory.

ASTWOOD BANK II v WORCESTER NOMADS II

IN the return fixture, Bank made the cardinal sin of not using their full allocation of overs, which ultimately cost them the chance of points.

Electing to bat first, they found themselves under early pressure from opener Andy Brown with a fine opening spell, and soon were 15-3. Only Hussein, who took full advantage of the short leg-side boundary, looked likely to offer much resistance, but his departure for 86 with the score on 127 saw Nomads seize the initiative back.

Spinner James Massey had done well to tie Hussein down and eventually took his wicket in a good spell of 2-33. Brown came back to wrap the tail up, including Tarantino with a superb one handed catch from Wilks, for figures of 5-41, as Bank were dismissed for 187 in the 36th over.

That meant that Nomads had a maximum of 64 overs in which to complete the victory, and a patient reply saw them take full advantage. Paddy Clear batted well to lead the Nomads home, with 53, supported by Pearson (30), and 30no from Dave Finbow.

WORCESTER NOMADS v

OLD ELIZABETHANS

INSERTED on a flat pitch by Old Elizabethans, Nomads found runs hard to come by but some steady batting by Kelly (28) and Akhtar (28) aided by a later flurry from youngsters Davis and Stafford pushed the total to 153-6.

In reply equally tight bowling from Nomads seamers Girling Watkins 3-26 and young Smith 1-8 pushed OEs behind the required run rate. However an excellent stand by Walker (22) and Sprague (44) got the scoreboard moving and despite ex-OE Emson taking three quick wickets the impetus was sustained and OEs won by three wickets with three overs left.

NOMADS Sunday team lost out in a close finish at Avoncroft with just two balls to spare. A young side did well to post 178 including a fine 52no from Blake Raymond and good knocks from Darren Lakin, with 35, and Steve Bowman with 24.

The Sunday Seconds won their first game of the season in the penultimate over. Crowle declared on 179-9 but Nomads romped home with Chris Marsh (60no) and Pearson (48) top scorers.