Our Two’s under the expert guidance of Nomads legend and top class keeper, James McKemey throw themselves a lifeline when putting up a superb performance in the Sussex Division Two relegation battle at Roffey.

Regular readers of this column will know that the 2s have been hard up against it from day one in Sussex Division Two. We have always maintained that keeping the side up will perhaps be our proudest achievements of season 2021. Against a bunch of top quality teams points have been hard to come by. However as we have been highlighting their cause has been further hampered by some poor batting decisions along the way. I have been asking the top order to get greedy and bat for the long haul and not get a quick 15 and out.

At last and at a crucial moment both Ammad Khan and Aaron Phillips produced elongated inns, filled with great defensive shots and leaves. Coming together at 27 for 3 the boys took their time, wore a few and then waited for the Roffey attack and fielders to get sloppy. Then they cashed in!!

After his 40 odd last week Aaron is in great nick and went on to produce three mighty 6s on route to 89. His shot to get to 50 thudded off the back fence to make a tremendous sound across the ground (he told me later he was aiming for the greenhouse!). Ammad produced a glorious six and four boundaries in a very elegant inns of 42 off 63 balls. A highlight for me came early on when the Roffey skipper came on to bowl. Tom sent down 5 very accurate deliveries which Ammad calmly defended. Then on the last ball, slightly on leg, Khan nonchalantly clipped him for a single to wreck the maiden. After that Tom went on to concede quite a few runs! Its little things like that and absorbing the ever mounting extra’s (28) which gets you to decent scores.

Fin Tomlinson then carried the fight with a forceful 22 off 21 before being caught on the ropes. That was the end of batting stories as the team ended on 209 all out off 37.3 (more on that later)

Our Two’s do not have any worries once they get the ball into their hands and step onto the field. There is raw talent, aggression, athleticism and real pace to burn up top. All that and a real worldy behind the stumps. Give them a decent score to defend and I would back them against all the Sussex Division 2 sides. It wasn’t long before Aiden (2 for 17) off 5 from the bottom and Zayn (2 for 8) off 5 from the top ripped open the Roffey top order. The pair worked in perfect unison as both Ed and James took great catches behind.

From just 8 for 4 Roffey never really found an answer to the onslaught of our accurate pace attack. Ajaz at just 19 bowls them quick and at the stumps. He went on to rip out the stumps of thee Roffey batsmans for just 20 runs.

Khan went on to complete a memorable day for himself when throwing down the stumps of Imran Suddahazai from 40 yards away. It was the champagne moment of the match and well celebrated as Roffey were rolled for just 88.

James said later ‘I am delighted to get get this win both Ammad and Aaron batted well. We then did very well in the field. My only disappointment was not batting through our full overs once again. It is something that I have been asking the team to do’

Bowman says ‘ Many thanks to Roffey 2s for hosting and good luck to them in the final two games. It was a brilliant afternoon full of exciting and entertaining cricket from the Nomads boys. For his steady 42 and stunning run out Ammad gets my Man of the Match award. As per opening paragraph our two’s have that lifeline lashed around them. The next step is to get on the life raft and that comes at home on Saturday against Lindfield 1s. Lets hope that one or perhaps two of our top order can once again step up and produce’