Nomads Ones put their army of fans through the emotional wringer last night as Minster looks odds on favourites to prevail.  However, in the tundra, that was frigid Fulking, we dug deep deep into our souls to take out something very special indeed.  We shrug off a poor traditional record for this competition and can now skip into the next round.

Nav won the toss and decided to field at the grey,cold and damp SCMG. The game kicking off late while the ground staff removed covers. Kent outfit Minster started quite well with a 40-opening stand.  The big breakthrough came when the dangerous Benkenstein tried to launch Lenham for six. Young Ibrihim enhanced his stock around here by taking a very calm catch under the high ball.  Adam O and Archie continued to press both taking three wickets a piece.  Minster skipper Haider Zaidi looked to have turned the match with an unbeaten 59 and a huge six off the last ball of the inns.   Chasing 152 rather than around the 120 odd seemed do able but given the conditions would need a little more consideration.

EVERYONE TAKE NOTE    NO EXTRA’S !!!

A wonderful hot tea was consumed by our new Caterer.  Further news on that to come.

Minster, to their credit, came out all guns blazing as Masters and Prideaux bowled with lots of pace and purpose utilising that new north pitch bounce to effect.  Dan, Oversea’s Nick and Ammad will have better days this season but all three got seeds as Minster took a stranglehold.  The score quickly going to 38 for five. Jonty fell to a world class catch as Haque dived full length to take a one-handed grab.  Gatting got the inns going leaning into a wonderful six.  But it was Adam, Nav and Felix who steadied the ship. Belief and momentum shifting.  However, it took a big 40 run last wicket stand to win this one. Enter Zayn and AOB who saw us home with clear heads and an enormous amount of skill. Zayn faced 19 balls for his 8 not out. Adam got us close and with just several balls remaining hit a glorious straight drive to beat the diving fielder.

THE SCMG ERUPTED!!!!

Bowman said ‘I doubted us early in that second inns but this season we appear to have unchartered strength in depth.  It won’t make that mistake again.  This competition is huge for me personally ever since I saw Spencer, Green and McKemey win a first round away match in London about 15 years ago. I dream about us going to the final!

AOB I have always loved you and your brother ever since that first meeting when you were U11s. You ‘cheeky’ guys were the first to welcome me on the ground.  Huge congrats on yesterday. However, having slept on it my MOM goes to a player who dug in at the top end and had to face a barrage of energy, pace and banter. Archie, hope your reading, if we do go far in this competition never forget the role you played in that 1^st hour at freezing cold Fulking.  I was very proud!

A top weekend guys but its just a start. Let’s quickly move on with an intense week of training, prep and availability. Huge challenges and opportunity await next weekend.

Cobo  11/05/2026