Cricket - Nomads hit form as rain stops many ties (From Ledbury Reporter)

Cricket - Nomads hit form as rain stops many ties

11:10am Saturday 5th May 2012 in Sport

THE Worcestershire County League programme was hit hard by the weather and, of the 36 matches scheduled, only three games were started yet all finished.

In Division One, Worcester Nomads had to hang on for a draw when they entertained Pershore at Bransford.

Nomads’ bowlers Liam O’Driscoll and Ben Schiffmann bowled with control and runs were very hard to come by.

Schiffmann made the early breakthrough, but after the opening bowlers were seen off, Chris Ridings and South African Michael Faraday took advantage of some loose bowling.

Faraday hit 14 and Ridings a well-worked 31 before falling to left-arm spinner Steve Bowman.

Veteran Lee Wilks batted with composure and he was well supported by Phil Oxley (16) in taking Pershore to a creditable 147-9 from their allotted 44 overs.

Bowman was the pick of the Nomads’ bowlers, ripping through the lower order to finish with 5-32.

Nomads were confident of knocking off the runs but this was soon dispelled by Luke Dalley, who ripped through the top order to reduce the home side to 27-4.

Opener Guy Davies batted solidly to repair the damage and hit some nice shots in his 24, but it was left to captain Ben Schiffmann and promising youngster, Lewis Austin, to stem the tide.

Austin eventually fell for an excellent 24 and, with eight overs remaining, it was left to last pair Schiffmann and JJ Dilley to bat the home side to safety.

Schiffmann hit some lusty blows on his way to an excellent unbeaten 49 as Nomads closed on 138-9.

Next weekend, early leaders Nomads travel to powerful but soggy Astwood Bank, last week’s other winners.