Two’s Lose on the Road.

There seems to be a feeling that anyone can beat anyone in Sussex Division 3 East which is leading to an exciting level to be playing at.  Indeed leaders, Rye were looking very strong but yesterday they were hammered by Crawley Eagles.  A team that our 2nds beat just a few weeks ago.  Then at the end of the season there is more uncertainty as both 2^nd place teams in Div 3 east and Div 3 west meet in a play off for promotion.  You feel there is a lot of twists and turns to come.

Glynde and Beddingham CC 1^st team were on a 4 match losing streak ahead of a home game against the Nomads twos and were looking to get a foothold in the league.  Nomads turned up high in confidence after a couple of stunning wins to their name.  There was a chill in the air across the pretty home ground nestling at the foothills of the South Downs. Nomads skipper duly won the toss and decided to have a bat.

In a ‘steady’ opening salvo both Oliver Gatting and Jaedyn Bartosh-Short were watchful as it took 29 balls to register the 1^st run.  Our skipper nervously watching on. Charles Saunders and Will Buron-Durham with two maidens each.  However, runs did start to flow for the openers.   J went on to score 16 and Oliver, 2^nd highest Nomad 2022 league run scorer, went on to score an excellent 49 before being caught.  Joe Musto was looking very comfortable but then hit his own wicket for 7 (bat goes flying on approach to dressing room).  Kamran Mirza is having a good season with the bat and followed up with a nice 27 at four.  However, it was Baalaaj Khan who really gave the Nomads some well needed momentum. From ball one he wanted to get after the mainly spin attack.  In a very entertaining passage of play he made a very quick half century with three of four incredible straight 6s.  His 63 not out was crucial to the team’s total of 227 for 9 off the 45 overs. 

Many thanks to Glynde for producing a fine and very welcome tea in the pavilion. It was very much appreciated by the Nomads team.

In the huddle, which I was honoured to be part of, James said that he was happy with the batting and we had something to defend.  After a few overs with the new ball he wanted to go pace off for most of the inns. And don’t give them many extra’s!

In a different approach to the Nomads, Alex Thornhill and Matthew Cramp (30) opened with a volley of crisp scoring shots.  The score quickly moving on to 38 off the opening four overs.  Charlie Hobden carried on the good work with a fast paced 34. His inns came to an end with a well-judged catch from George Close Brooks, see the ground whatsapp site!.  Baalaaj Khan followed his batting superb batting with a fine 9 over spell with the ball. He took the important wicket of my Man of the Match Thornhill who had made nice half century up top. 

Muadh, Yosef and Jaedyn then bowled 26 overs of spin between then as the scoring rate slowed to a trickle with the Nomads having half a chance of defending the total.  However, Glynde were in no mood to surrender the advantage they had given themselves.  With one over of pace George Burton Durham delivered for his team and sealed the match with a four, six and four in successive deliveries.

Glynde win by 3 wickets  28 points Nomads 13 points

Please watch James reaction to the loss on the members Whattapp site.  

In truth our match at Glynde represented a positive opportunity for our twos to make a statement in Div 3 and go high in the table.  But we say well played to our hosts thanks for looking after us and good luck for the remainder of the season.  

Our Twos, who are currently mid table after 4 wins and 4 loses, will be desperately looking to make use of home soil over the next two weekends.  We can cut through that air of unpredictability with two straight SCMG wins against Bexhill and Portslade. Adding 60 points to the tally at the halfway stage would be awesome!