NOMADS celebrated their 75th anniversary with an entertaining encounter among the raindrops against the Worcester Gentlemen last Friday.

WORCESTER NOMADS v GENTLEMEN OF WORCESTERSHIRE

The Gentlemen batted first, and despite losing Andy Lewis early on made good progress through James Watkins and Gerry Kelly, with a century stand. Kelly fell first for 51, and was soon followed by his partner Watkins for 54. Malcolm Jones in particular kept the run rate going, before being dismissed by his father Bill for the first time in any standard of cricket! The Gents finished on 181-8.

Nomads opened with Marsh and guest-player Richard Illingworth, who made steady progress in the run chase. Marsh was dismissed, playing on to skipper Ian Jinks, followed rapidly by Finbow and Dixon. Illingworth meanwhile was building an innings and much depended upon his ability to stay at the crease.

Crucially he was dropped with Nomads needing still around 50 runs, as the Gents sought to take wickets. Butterworth and Jinks came back on and took a wicket each, but Illingworth (102no) guided Nomads to victory with an over to spare, completing an excellent century off the final ball.