Hosts Take a Stunning Late Win !

Taking out Sussex Prem points and win/lose scenarios for the time being anyone watching or officiating Three Bridges and PNs last Saturday would need to say a huge thanks to both teams for producing a ‘festival’ ‘calypso’ game of cricket.  You don’t get many 50 over games coming down to the last ball.   From the writer, Many thanks for a brilliant afternoon’s entertainment.

However, there were Sussex Prem points up for grabs and in this case, it was our hosts Three Bridges who held their breaths to secure a stunning last ball victory and create a deserved robust cheer from the balcony.   

There was nothing to suggest the drama to come when Nomad openers calmly went about their business.  The new pairing of Nathan Poole and Dan Phillips is simmering well with no less than 108 league runs coming in two games so far. There are signs of some big runs just around the corner.  Jaedyn Bartosh Short, (interview coming for those yet to meet our new player) recruited from Guildford Cc has started his Nomads career in good fashion.  He proved unshiftable at BH in the T20 game and followed up nicely with a 54 at Three Bridges.  Liam (22) Ammad (36) both contributed well.   After a couple of low scores late on Will Collard showed some excellent attacking qualities with a 49 not out accompanied by the evergreen Owen Kernan who batted , at 11, for 7 overs for a total boosting 24 not out.  ( I think he enjoyed it!)

269 for 9  off 50 overs.   Good job done and in the driving seat you would think.

James Russell, fresh from a ton at Middleton, was in fine form and scored 94 up top.   With contributions from Sachit Patel (21) and  Ben Caiden (33) Bridges calmly hauled themselves into the box seat come mid inns.  Luke Bellars continued the excellent progress as things started to look very ominous for the 2021 Champs.  However, Nomads didn’t give up and then showed two world class pieces of work to dismiss Caiden and Bellars. First up, our new keeper, Rahan Afridi, acted swiftly to stump Caiden off AOB.  Then Ammad Khan, like a gazelle, hunted down a ball which had the batsman running two.  In one movement an accurate throw was delivered, and Afridi did the rest. (Action can be found on the club Whattsapp account)  The Nomads door on proceedings had opened!

Tom Blandford hit two 6s before leaving having his stumps re arranged by four wicket man Dan Birrell.  In a tense closing Owen Kernan judged a fine and difficult catch to perfection to take the match into the final over. 

Two needed from the last ball.  Biz on the charge.  Bridges hero of the hour Archit Patel swung the bat and got the merest snick for a winning boundary.  Que wild celebration from the pavilion.

Congratulations to our hosts, thanks for hosting and tea. Good luck as the season unfolds. As for the Nomads it’s a game to take on the chin, learn and move on.  There was so much positive and progressive cricket on show to indicate we are in rude health with lots to look forward to.  My Nomads man of the match goes to Owen who batted robustly for a tail ender, came back well in his 2^nd spell and took the dangerous Joe Walker and then showed impeccable concentration to take a difficult and potentially match turning catch out deep.  

Nomads are back on home soil on Saturday when Horsham make that short trip south.  Sussex Premier League 11.30 am start. 

 Nav’s Narrative

Saturday’s fixture against Three Bridges away was a fantastic game of cricket. 540 runs scored over 100 overs showcased some fine skills and was a great advert of the Sussex Prem. Batting first the guys formed consistent partnerships throughout the whole innings to post a substantial score on the board. The innings was anchored by Jaedyn who playing in his debut season for the club showcased great composure and completed a well made 55. There were meaningful contributions throughout the rest of the innings from Dan Phillips, Mani Khan as well as Will  Collard and Owen Kernan who put on 45 swashbuckling runs for our last wicket giving us a great momentum into the break. However we knew the job was only half done as the pitch was flat and the ground very small. Credit must go to all the Three Bridges batters who showed great application and skill throughout their run chase.
We found it difficult to break their partnerships however I’m proud of the guys for sticking at it and fighting right till the last ball. The great game came down to 2 needed off the last ball with only 1 wicket in hand however the rub of the green was with Bridges as they snicked a boundary through third man.
Dan Birrell picked up 4 wickets. Despite the loss we picked up 14 points as well as valuable learnings to build on and take with us into further league games.

Sunday’s Cup game was a a very frustrating affair with the weather dictating terms and forcing a rescheduled fixture on Sunday 22nd May. The boys remain hungry to take on Wimbledon and hopefully progress in the ECB National Cup.