v Lichfield Nomads, May 23
Posted Monday, May 24, 2010
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Sunseekers 220-6 (Carpenter 76*, Ashton 48, Nicholls 27, Extras 49)
Lichfield Nomads 135 (Ashford five-fer and cleared off without buying a jug)
IT became two out of two for the new Captain Marvel as Ross the Toss lost the toss at Nomads' new venue, Hammerwich, and was pleasantly surprised to find us put in on probably the hottest day of the season so far.
Carpo, meanwhile, was visibly losing weight as he powered on past 50
Howard and Jim put on 45 for the first wicket before Jim decided 9 was enough again, opening the way for Carpo to catch Howard up in a fine stand of 99.
Howard would just have won the race to 50 if he hadn't top-edged a pull on 48 but it was another super knock for our ace left-hander. In came Steve, fresh from injury and fresh from 34 not out the previous day in Birmingham. His new bat looks the business and he hit 27 in quick time with some flashing drives. Carpo, meanwhile, was visibly losing weight as he powered on past 50 but the Nomads were visibly losing heart in the heat. There was a flurry of wickets chasing quick runs but a sumptuous cover drive for 4 off the last ball of the innings suggested Rob Coxon might have plenty to offer as a batsman too.
It was a job very well done with the bat and, after that, just a matter of keeping our heads with the ball.
Fred went early, without buying a jug, only for his credit card to be found in the car park. A pity we didn't know the pin number…
Lichfield set off at a great pace with a tall young opener looking like a very good player. His brain did not match his technique, however and after cover-driving Rob brilliantly for six, he tried to repeat the shot with Steve stationed on the boundary rope to take the sort of outstanding catch that only he can among Sunseekers.
It set the tone however and turned into a rare day of held catches, as Howard, Jim, Tom and Stewart all clung on to awkward chances and the day was rounded off by a caught and bowled for your reporter as Lichfield subsided to a comprehensive defeat. Fred was in fine form with the ball, steady, accurate and swinging it on his way to a five-wicket haul.
Most heartening of all, on an energy-sapping day, was the team spirit evident, with the bowlers backed up at every ball. Looking down the 11, everyone either scored runs, took a wicket or took a catch in an absolutely model display. Credit to Ross; people are responding to his enthusiastic captaincy.
Amusement followed as Fred went early, without buying a jug, only for his credit card to be found in the car park. A pity we didn't know the pin number…
Again, one sour note, in the form of a damaged digit for Stewart as he took his catch. Sadly, can now confirm that he has broken the tip of his finger and will be out for at least four weeks...
CC
