CLEAN SWEEP AND SCMG PARTY !!!!

Welcome to the last in the current series. Sussex League season 2023 seems to have past by in a blink of an eye but here at the Nomads we ended on a pulsating high which hopefully this report will do the whole weekend justice.  Settle in as we try to reflect and revel on a day that will stay with us for a long while and hopefully lite the touch paper for many more to come.

The Nomads are getting their ‘swagger’ back !!!

We woke to the perfect early autumn morning. Light cloud slowly burning away which in turn revealed a deep blue. Sun kissed cricket grounds warming up nicely, the rain radar not needed through out the day. As cricket players arrived at the SCMG, Lindfield and Preston Park they could easily mistaken the fixture as being a hi summer event rather than autumn.  We got very lucky!!!

AOB Gets Party Rocking at the SCMG.  1^st Team Clinch Premier Division Runner up spot v Three Bridges.

Nav and the Ones have had a brilliant season in the Sussex Premier League and went into the last game knowing that victory would bring up a runner up spot. Nav slung the visitors into bat and then Zayn, 3 for 29, got on with knocking out the top order. Bridges struggled as wickets continued to fall.  AOB tore through the middle order picking up 4 for 26.  The final total 160 all out after 44 overs.

In form Natham Poole broke the chains with an excellent 66 from just 77 balls up top.  A brilliant follow up to his Horsham ton on 16^th August.  The game looked done and dusted as the big hitting Jersey quick Dan Birrell smashed three maximums on route to 36.  However, Bridges made us work for our party as a volley of late wickets fell to the ground.  The ground and those looking on the live stream held their breaths as AOB stood motional less with 4 runs needed 9 down.  Then with one almighty heave of the bat the ball was travelling towards the dog kennels and the celebrations could commence. 

Our song belted out from the home dressing room!!!

As already reported on Twos win at St Peters to confirm their play off place.  I transport half the team back to Fulking in the open top Merc!

George Smashes a Six at Lindfield as 3s win in the last Over.  Div 6

There was pandemonium on the away balcony after George Close-Brooks smashed a match winning six with just 2 balls to spare.

There wasn’t any hint of the excitement to come as hosts Linfield 2s decided to sling Fas and his troops out in the field.  Edwards, Jesperson, Saunders and Barnett all made good starts with the bat. However Jamie P 2 for 20 and  Oscar S 3 for 27 kept taking wickets which meant that the score was never allowed to get away from the Nomads. But saying that chasing 194 to win wasn’t going the be a walk in the park.

Chris Baker, batting with a suspected broken hand (picked up in the field), did well to fight the pain with a nice 34 up top. That completed a brilliant debut season for our experienced opening bat. 2022 Press Officers player of the season Michael English played a stunning half century as young Rudy Northcott contributed a hugely important 24.

But time started to run out for the Nomads….ENTER BIG GEORGE !     Threes end up in 4^th place.

4s end div 9 Campaign with Crushing Victory at the SCMG.   V Scaynes Hill 2s

Nomads’ legend Darren Hick peeled back the years with a sensational spell of 4 for 23 off 8 overs as the Scaynes Hill batting lineup dissolved under the south downs.  Flynn weighed in with three for 33 as Nomads settled to a ‘very modest’ chase of 91.  The skipper lead the way with a nice 27 as Graham Watson carried his bat for 16.  Flynn finished the game early with 32 very quick runs.

Our 4s ended up in a very pleasing 4^th place in the league.

Stephen has written a very entertaining piece which will be shared on the wattsapp channel.

PARTY PARTY PARTY!

By the time I arrived back at base our end of season party was in full swing. Youngsters and the not so young were sliding across the outfield on our makeshift helta skelter. It looked great fun but alas I didn’t have a go.  The pizza van was doing a great trade as was Maggie and Phil in the bar.  Even the tunes were on max strength.  Everything was set fair for a big nite to come.

I headed straight for the ones dressing room where the boys were in great spirits. Its was brilliant to share in their celebration.  There was a magical moment when we all came together for a group hug, the highlight of a long season.

It was then time to settle down for the ‘awards ceremony’ which I was honoured to be asked to compare.  I started by thanking our ‘back room staff’ who without their dedication hard work and diligence Preston Nomads wouldn’t work.  They know who they are!.  Our Fixture Secretary, Tony Doctors came in for specific praise where I said ‘ this guy has been doing the job for decades and we would be in the sh1t if he was to pack up tomorrow’  Tony if your reading a huge thanks for me personally for every thing you do for the club. We would be lost without you.

Mal was then invited to the stage to talk about the Ladies vibe and give out her awards.  Mrs Hutchingson and Mrs Davies both received the major awards.

Nav then came to the stage and talked all about the 1^st team season.  It was the skipper who won the 1^st team players award which he duly accepted.

Gatts then told us all about the 2^nd team and also won the 2^nd team players award.

I think Fas was away on a job but Jamie P made a great speech about the 3^rd team

Finally, Stephen Oliver came up to talk us through the 4^th team vibe.

In terms of the 2023 Press Officers Junior Nomad of the Year award it was a pretty tricky decision to make.  There is so much talent in the pool and loads of youngsters are now stepping up and contributing to Saturday afternoon league cricket.  The short list included Joe Scorey (U12s) who topped the entire Nomads batting stats with 712 runs and received rave reviews from his coach Ralph.  Joe if you are reading keep it up, we will be watching your progress.  Charlie Davies who has been very impressive with the 4s and scored 606 runs for us.  Felix Venter, who I believe could become a ‘gun’ opening franchise batter in the next few years.  However, I went for a young man who has been gracing his year group with improved performances year on year.  He demonstrates a wiliness to learn his craft and then quietly gets on with things. He does it with humility and respect for those around him, always with a smile on his face.  This year, which the great Kash has noted, his bowling has become very accurate and seldom gives away wides.  Finally, he operated well in our third team with best figures four for 47.  I asked him his ambition in cricket and he answered ‘ my dream is to play in the 1^st team here at the Nomads’.    I loved that!!

The award went to Will Hutchinson.     

As to the 2023 Press Officers Player of the season it had an ‘antipodean’ slant as two players forced their way into contention.  I couldn’t split them, so the title was shared by Nav Patel and Jaedyn Bartosh-Short.  Owing to the loud cheers and chanting of names it seems I had it spot on.

Nav has not only bowled like a superstar he has batted out of his skin at times this season saving his team on lots of occasions.  He has led us to the Sussex T20 Final at Hove and to 2^nd place in the Sussex Premier League. He is much more than our 1^st team and club leader.  He is the Ambassador !

Jaedyn just continues to come up with hugely significant match winning performances.  He must have 5 of my man of the match awards.  Including the Twos winning the 2022 Sussex T20 Trophy and just last Sunday at Findon.  His lower order knock complete with two maximums was the difference on the day. J if you are reading, I think you are a wonderful cricketer but more so you have this uncanny knack of knowing when the big opportunities are available and then you go and grab them. Please do it at Hove for us and then keep doing it in 2024!

The party continued long into the nite. A wonderful day turned in a spectacular evening as moonlight sprinkled star dust on the south downs. The SCMG is a magical piece of real estate and hopefully all our members get goose bumps every time they step foot onto the property.

We are all very lucky to members of the Nomads Family.  Once a Nomad always a Nomad!

2024 Awaits!

Cobo 4/9/2023