Nomads move to the top of the table (From Malvern Gazette)

Nomads move to the top of the table

6:07pm Thursday 9th August 2007 in Cricket

REDDITCH v WORCESTER NOMADS

WORCESTER Nomads moved to the top of the Worcestershire League Division One with a comfortable seven-wicket win at Redditch.

Redditch's Steve Rose and Adam Gayley started quietly but gradually increased the pace to put together a fine opening stand of 129. Rose was finally stumped by skipper Dannie Rees off the bowling of Geoff Taylor for a solid 54. Taylor then bowled the dangerous Mahmood for 0 and also had Redditch captain, Dan Protheroe, stumped for eight.

Meanwhile, Gayley sailed on serenely for an outstanding unbeaten 122. Taylor bowled unchanged taking 3-95 off 25 overs.

Nomads openers, Olly Flower and Dean Oliver, forged a useful partnership of 70 before Flower was caught by Mahmood for 22 off the spin of Lostitch.

Oliver was lbw to Steve Merry for a valuable 48 and Liam O'Driscoll contributed his usual 30. Geoff Taylor (78no) and Dannie Rees (28no) put the issue beyond any doubt with a partnership of 81 in nine overs to win with seven overs to spare.

WORCESTER NOMADS II v REDDITCH II

NOMADS Seconds hosted Redditch in the sun at Bransford and earned themselves a losing draw and eight points to keep it very tight for second place in the league.

Electing to bat, Redditch started sensibly after the loss of an early wicket and with Axel (91) and captain Baker (82) putting on a stand of 155 for the 4th wicket set a total of 252 for the home team after the loss of five wickets. Chatfield and Marsh both took wickets, 2-88 and 2-35 respectively with Nic Lloyd being the only other wicket taker.

In reply, the Nomads started badly and slipped to 50-4. Then 15-year-old Andrew Curtis, on his league debut, joined Tom Longley and the game changed. Both batsmen batted with maturity and looked at ease against the Redditch attack. Longley (78) lost his wicket shortly before the end, but Curtis battled on and was unbeaten at the end of the 50 overs on 49no. Nomads final total being 192-6.

WORCESTER NOMADS III v ASTWOOD BANK

ASTWOOD Bank gave Nomads a run for their money in Division Eight of the Worcestershire County League.

Put in, Nomads looked to set a challenging total on what looked to be a good batting wicket. Chief contributors were Paddy Clear, with a sublime 53, and skipper Dave Pearson, playing anchor role, with 49. The target of a minimum 200 to ensure maximum batting points proved out of reach as Nomads innings ended on 192.

In reply, Astwood Bank were able to keep up with the run rate, with M James making a steady 27. But with half the side back in the pavilion, T Haslam suddenly decided to throw caution to the wind, and launched a personal attack. With 42 runs needed off the final four overs, it still seemed unlikely. Nineteen off the final over was reduced with a six off the first ball, but Nomads held their nerve, and Bank finished eight runs short, on 184-8, giving Nomads the winning draw.