AFTER a successful campaign in the Worcester section of Worcestershire Board Indoor League, Worcester Nomads travelled to the indoor centre at Evesham to compete in the county finals.

Paired with Pedmore in the first semi-final, captain Ben Schiffmann won the toss and decided to carry on with Nomads’ successful plan of batting first. He was rewarded with a solid opening partnership between Darren Lakin and Andy Leach (14).

After the departure of Leach, Lakin continued to dominate the Pedmore bowling, retiring in the fifth over, leaving Dannie Rees (18) and Schiffmann (27 not out) to maintain Nomads’ healthy run-rate.

After useful contributions from Steve Walsh and Dylan Stanley, Lakin returned to finish off the Nomads innings, ending up on a solid 42 not out and leaving Pedmore to chase 124 for victory.

Pedmore’s reply started disastrously after a sharp piece of fielding by Leach saw Burgoyne run out in the second over.

After this setback, the Pedmore batting line-up had little to offer against Nomads’ committed fielding and disciplined bowling and capitulated to 63 all out.

Rees (3-25) claimed a fine hat-trick, the first in an Evesham finals. Nomads’ opponents in the final were Vale side Ashton-under-Hill, who decided to ask Nomads to bat first.

Lakin carried on his good form from the first game and retired quickly after only three overs.

Despite a spirited effort from their bowlers, Ashton had no answer to the strength of Nomads’ batting with Schiffmann (28 no), Rees (26 no) and Walsh (16 no) all batting well.

This was before Lakin returned to finish off the innings with a well made 37, leaving Ashton to chase 147 for victory.

After Schiffmann trapped Cooper lbw in only the second over, Ashton were always struggling to keep up with the required rate.

A series of run-outs, combined with some excellent bowling from both Stanley and Rees saw Ashton bowled out for 111, giving Nomads victory by 35 runs and see them crowned county champions for 2011.

They will now progress to next year’s regional play-offs which will hopefully see them return to Edgbaston with the lure of a Lord’s final for the victorious team.