It’s a Soft Win for Hosts.

After a quite brilliant and moral boosting victory at home last week our 4s would have given their season a huge lift if they had found another one today at hot and sunny Portslade.  An experienced team played some marvellous cricket at times including some 1^st rate individual performances.  We had em on the ropes a couple of times during a pulsating afternoon but unfortunately, they took the key moments.  Its put is right back in the mire.

Mal won the toss and quite rightly decided to have a bat in sunny dry conditions.  Portslade got out the traps well as Nomads went to 52 for 4. Dexter eventually taking five for 28 in perhaps the MOM performance. However, Sam Sowerby (45) and Matt Rowson (60) played with guts and determination to put on 110 partnership.  At 162 for 5 with around 6 overs left Nomads had the perfect platform to go grab a winning score.  However, no one was able to grasp the nettle with a quick 20 or 30 to ice the inns.  Indeed, the last 4 batters summed just 15 between then.  Not getting near to that 200 mark was perhaps our 1^st  error of the day.

In reply our U15s sensation but somehow Portslade Saturday player Eddie Spense, error number two, opened in aggressive fashion to score 29 very quick runs.  However, Mal was Nomads player of the game with a controlled three for 19 up top.  She bowled quite beautifully.  Legend Ian Jones took out two wickets in the engine room as looked to run riot 96 for 6.  However, T Lettres became the Portslade hero with a determined 52.  It was during his inns that we allowed a winning position get away from us.  He was dropped at a crucial moment, error 3, and we continued to give away extra’s at an alarming rate. They gave 28 we gave 38!  Even after his departure they still needed 15 runs with just two wickets left. They got it quite comfortably with more extra’s including a 4 byes and a few rushed singles. Our 4^th error

A frustrated Mal said ‘a loss is always disappointing!  There were too many excuses out there and we didn’t suck it up. It was a tough afternoon with some things going on off the ball.  The best way to get out of here was to win the game!’

Bowman said ‘thanks to Portslade for hosting and good luck going forward. Look after Eddie for us.  Huge thanks to Cole for his heartfelt and robust support all day long. Hope you enjoy your holiday in France.  Our 4s have proved they are fundamentally skilful and talented enough to belong in Div 7.  Mal is working hard to provide an environment for success.  But today was the perfect example of us not been able to win those key moments to take a victory. It would be a huge blow to undo all that 2-season hard work to allow us to fall back into Div 8.  To prevent that we are going to need find that jugular very quickly indeed!’

Colin Bowman  18/07/26