Lichfield Nomads Cricket Club : Match Reports 2009

Lichfield Nomads: 122 all out
Royal Brussels: 123 for 2

Nomads lose first Tour match

The first match of the tour against Royal Brussels highlighted certain differences between the two teams. The most notable differences were in terms of age and ability. Batting first, the Nomads found scoring very difficult against an attack that combined pace, lateral movement and bounce. Even the normally free scoring Gardner was restricted although he contributed 23 to an opening partnership of 28 that took 12 overs. The 50 only came up in the 23rd over as Westwood and Stanley struggled to pierce the field. Having exerted a virtual stranglehold, Royal Brussels introduced variation into the attack using a total of 9 bowlers. Pinfield top scored with a typically busy 30. Blackburn (P) was the only other batsman to reach double figures. The final total of 122 was seen to be just about defendable. However the traditional problem of dropped catches (including one in the first over) hindered any chance of a fight back. Runs were conceded steadily against a batting line up that seemed of equal quality to their bowling. Maclear, who made a half century, was given three lives. The Nomads fought on (and as the game was played only a few miles from the battlefield of Waterloo this was only fitting) but the total was passed in the 20th over for the loss of only two wickets. Wellington famously referred to Waterloo as “the nearest run thing you ever saw”. He would not have said the same about the 2009 battle.

After the game a barbecue was enjoyed (to line the stomach) before further research was undertaken into the qualities of establishments purveying alcoholic beverages.