Cohesion in the League but Reigate and Haywards Heath Progress on Sunday

Sussex has been blessed with perfect weather over past two days which has allowed all games to progress unhindered.  It’s been a warm dry bright spell perfect cricketing conditions.  On the pitch Nomads have enjoyed some brilliant League results which has given our title hopes a real boost and momentum, including three tons, going into hi summer next weekend. Unfortunately, today two Cup games have resulted in losses as we bow out of the ECB National and the Sussex T20 Trophy.

1^St Team

Gatts having a Fine Season   

It turned into a wonderful afternoon around the SCMG as our Ones got the better of Cuckfield in a tight Sussex Premier game. Nav was at his imperious best taking the opener for 5 and the dangerous overseas, Omair Yousuf, for a three-ball duck.  Zayn goes from strength to strength with the new ball taking one for 28 off 7.   Chris Mole (63) and Ben Canfield (45) made things a little tougher late on but Zack L C strangled the inns five overs for just 19.  A chase of 233 appeared a little tricky especially as Nomads went to 2 for 48. Zack scored 40 at SR 100 up top which helped the cause.  Jonty scored 34.  However, with nerves jangling a little bit our seasoned and grizzled legend Oliver Gatting, not for the 1^st time this season, steered the team home to victory with solid and robust 45 not out.   It’s a very welcome 30 points taking the club into the Sussex Prem chasing pack.   Roffey and Bridges still make the running with four wins each.

Bates 93 takes Reigate too Far    ECB National Cup 2^nd Round.

Nav is in brilliant nick with the ball right now, but Tommy Bates took the game away with a score of 93. Danny Ibs and Jonty were in the game but we bowed out by 42 runs.   Guest writer George CB writes up after being our brilliant on course reporter.

ECB Cup 2nd Round (40 overs)

1s lose out in seesaw match vs Reigate. Nomads had a strong XI ready to face Reigate who are sitting third in the Surrey Premier League, having dismantled Guildford the day before. Coached by Mark Butcher’s brother and with Mark Ealham’s boys in the side, this team presented a strong challenge. Reigate won the toss and decided to bat on a used pitch with a short boundary to the car park side and a mammoth 80 yards towards the sheep field. Nav and Zayn opened with the skipper picking up two early wickets. At 19/2 off 5 overs we were feeling good but knew their two guns were at the crease. A nice left / right hand combo. They rebuilt before perhaps the first of two key phases in the match … both batsmen hit pull shots off Danny Ibs to deep square and both were put down. Not easy but the reprieve cost Nomads, with the pair adding 130. We fought back with a fine spell from our overseas Nick Greenwood claiming 5/39 to restrict Reigate to 226 all out, one ball shy of using their full 40 overs. Was this par? Was it 10-15 above par on a used pitch? After a lovely and healthy tea (top work Lissa), Archie and Dan opened up. Young and old, music and muscle. A smart c&b did for Dan ushering Danny Ibs to the crease. Partnerships with Archie (top edged pull) and Nick G (bowled) got going but didn’t progress. It was Jonty (47) who stayed with Dan (67) adding 85 increasingly fluent runs. At 159/3 needing 68 to win in 15 or so overs it felt good. Blue skies, perfect backdrop, happy days. But life isn’t like that and we entered the second key phase of this match. Dan was trapped lbw by one that stayed a bit low and Jonty was yorked. And sadly, Reigate were very proficient at turning the screw. In double quick time with Nomads closing 184 all out. A frustrating defeat as we had been in control deep into the game. But against a strong opposition who we wish well in the next round.

 

 

2s Win at Pagham 

Please see previous news feed for report and reaction from Pagham.  Twos on the charge.

3s with Moral boosting win at Balcombe  Div 6

Balcombe is traditionally a quick scoring ground, a batsman’s paradise if you will.  Our Threes went mad after electing to bat to take 30 welcome points.  One player becoming our 1^st league ton score of the season.   We get a full report from a player who was right in the thick of things. Take it away George

3s win at Balcombe

The 3s travelled to Balcombe after disappointing and self-inflicted back-to-back defeats against Plumpton (A) and Rottingdean (H). The skipper provided some stern and justified admonishment and guidance about how to improve. As well as demonstrating his unwavering personal commitment with gym pictures, netting at midnight etc That said we travelled in good spirits with a team significantly enhanced by the presence of Zidane and Hamish from the 2s and the reappearance of young Abbad. If you don’t know Balcombe, it’s a tiny ground on a humpback. Adam led a warmup for the 10 of us who arrived pre 12 (✅) (Dale sat nav malfunction) and then the skipper won an important toss and chose to bat. Sameer was salivating on the way out and duly delivered. He went to his 50 in the 7th over, his 100 in the 13th and was out for 115 off 60 balls in the 16th over… 159/1. At one point he was on 75 with his opening partner on 8. Bongo was at the other end, watching, smiling and accumulating. GCB joined him for a partnership of 65 before handing over to Faisal who scored a nice 23 but produced his party trick leaving Bongo run out for a well made 85 off 73. Adam and the tail wagged although the run rate dipped and it is accurate if somewhat incredible to say we were a bit miffed not to hit 400, closing on 380/9. They came out swinging… on this ground it was an imposing total but not impossible. That was until they saw Z steaming in down the hill, fired up by the lack of helmets perhaps. Nandu struck first: his niggling left arm line and length getting its reward through a sharp catcn from Theo Rowland. Then Z struck twice: too fast and straight for their no3 cleaning him up before claiming the dangerous left handed Ward through a catch at cover from Abbad. Theo came on up the hill to snare the no4 hitting the splice for his old man to take the catch at gully. 36/4 chasing 380 is perhaps the definition of a “good match to win”. But at this point they decided not to go for the win and grind out for batting points. I am not sure but it was a defensive philosophy that I don’t think Sameer agreed with… To their credit they blocked out well, benefitting from a disputed catch, and clipping anything wide to the short boundary. It made for a boring 25 overs in the sun but the result was decided long ago. Possibly in the first 10 overs of the first innings. Nomads won by 165 runs. No prizes for guessing the man of the match … plaudits to Sameer.

4s  Lots to Ponder and but ‘no excuses’ say’s Captain Malorie Short

Luke Schildkamp Ton inst enough on South v Cuckfield 3s   Div 7 

Despite a quite brilliant opening knock from our experienced and veteran campaigner the team failed to sparkle with the ball to lose what was an important Div 7 match.  Schildkamp and Huw Cahill put Nomads well on top.  Phil Standen added a half century down the order as Nomads rested on 239 for 5.  Unfortunately, economy rates of 10s, 12s and 13 is going to hurt over 15 overs as Matthew Wynn (93) and Sharne Mayers 72 no rushed Cuckfield to victory inside 25 overs.  It was a brutal experience at the SCMG leaving our 4s winless in 2026.

4s Bow out of the Sussex T20 Trophy at HH.

HH decided to have a bat, a decision which seemed dicey in the initial stages.  Captain Mal taking a wicket in the 1^st over.  Darren Hick took the 1^st of his three great catches as the hosts slumped to 14 for 3.  Emmerson (32) Ali (34) and Honeyset (20) rallied as the hosts set a total of 145.   Short the pick 4 overs three for 21.

Big hitter Mike B was unlucky to get stumped opening up.  Dishanth Chereddy (43) produced the champagne moment with a huge six to the 2^nd tier of the Claire Hall banking. He and Rowson looked to get something going in the middle orders.  In truth Nomads were never up with the rate and fell 36 runs short.

As a fan it was a fun afternoon catching up with Nomads former Junior Manager Garthy who was umpiring.  Also brilliant to spend some time with DJ Carl who is gearing up for a table tennis comp in Bulgaria soon.   Thanks to HH for hosting at pretty Clair Hall and good luck in the next round.

Malorie spoke to the waiting press who asked about the season.  ‘There were lots of positives today there was some good bowling which hopefully we can take forward’  As to improvements in the league it’s a case we have to get better as no one wants to play getting annihilated every week. ‘We have relatively strong teams out each week so there really aren’t any excuses it’s a case of taking individual responsibility.’  Please see a full interview on this channel.   Mal if you’re reading please take care of that injury you are carrying and try not playing through the pain barrier. Trust me its not worth the risk.

We there you have it.  The good bad and ugly of a real mixed bag of results.

Colin Bowman  31/05/2026