Preston Nomads CC go again this weekend in the next round of exciting Sussex League cricket schedule on Saturday. Its a huge chance for the 1st, 3rd and 4th teams to blow the cobwebs off and get back to winning ways. For the Twos, after a brilliant win at Lindfield, James and the lads have an opportunity to get themselves into the top half of Sussex Division Two. Our U13s are experiencing a wonderful ECB Cup run under manager Tom H. They Travel to Bromley on Sunday for the next part of that adventure.

1st Team are 13 Points clear in race for Sussex Prem Title ahead of trip to Cuckfield. 11.30 Sussex Prem 110 overs

With 5 wins to their name Dan Phillips and the team are well positioned as we head to Mid Sussex, Cuckfield CC for an 11.30 am start. Our hosts are still having to look over their shoulders a little, as with two wins they are just above the relegation zone. However just looking at the table doesn’t tell the whole story. Their season started very poorly with 4 straight losses in May. A painful one would of been against near neighbors Haywards Heath on 15th May. Things took a positive turn during June where two quick victory’s were probably very well celebrated. On 5th June Cuckfield took out Eastbourne when scoring 296 for 5. Nipun Karaunayake hit a nice ton that day with Ollie Graham getting a half century. William Rogers took three important wickets in a much needed win. Then on 19th June Cuckfield enjoyed another home celebration when beating Middleton. Ollie Graham with a ton, Harry Clark with 89 in a total of 285 for 8. Nick Patterson and Josh Hayward both took 4 wickets as Middleton folded. Last weekend, despite a Harry Finch ton at Horntye perhaps Cuckfield might have felt a little annoyed not to have chased down 196 in 52 overs. Ollie Graham with another half century and Ben Candfield 40 not out lead the charge but they had to settle for a draw 28 runs short.

Our hosts on Saturday have really found their stride over the last few weeks and will be very much looking forward to playing top of the league. They have hit a rich seam of runs which could make them very dangerous if they bat first.

Could be a cracker!

Two’s welcome Chichester Priory Sussex Div 2 12.30 100 overs

As eluded to above our Twos will go into this one full of confidence after that marvelous win at Lindfield. Our visitors will travel in determined mood as with just 2 wins to their name they are in the drop zone. On 5th June they got the better of St James when Tarryck Gabriel scored 60 as they chased 195. Since then it has been a hugely disappointing time for the side. Losses against Burgess Hill, Bognor and Billinghust have taken their toll. Scores of 153, 140 and 141 just haven’t been enough. Last week Ajit Sambhi did take 5 for 47 against Billingshurst but the damage had already been done with the bat.

A club the size of Chi will be desperately looking for a win and getting themselves up that table. That makes them very dangerous on Saturday as they will be looking to come out all guns blazing.

Hopefully our bowlers can get into their top order very quickly and set alarm bells ringing. James and the boys to get the job done!

Thirds Looking for comfort of a win at Lindfield 2s (Mid Sussex) Div 6 1pm start 40 overs each

With just the one victory thus far our Third team, under the guidance of Skipper David Symes, will be looking to claim a much needed win at Lindfield.

Our hosts currently have 119 points with two wins and 4 losses so far. On 19th June they beat Ifield at home Jayson Butler took 3 for 8 up top as the visitors rested on 145 for 9. Andrew Stillwell opened with a 49 and then Jayson B sealed a brilliant afternoon with 38 not out as the target was reached in 31 overs. Last week Lindfield would of been pleased with 189 for 9, Charlie Pugh smashing 38 at 10. However St Andrews calmed picked them off despite Ross Pedley taking 4 for 36.

This upcoming fixture looks to close to call but lets hope our Threes take their A game to Mid Sussex and bring back all the points.

4s Look after Felbridge and Sunnyside 2s. South Square 1pm start 40 over each Div 8

There is no getting away from the fact that Stephen and his team have a huge assignment this weekend when taking on a team who have won 8 league games already. There is no surprise that Felbridge are running away with the league.

They are strong with both bat and ball taking games away from opponents very quickly. For example on 5th June they scored 250 with a Luke Taylor 50 and Chris Hinton 96. They then took out Copthorne for 167, Sebastian Pollard 4 for 24 in commanding performance. Last week their bowlers were at it against a usually robust Plumpton side. Timothy Heller 4 for 28 and Michael Roberts 3 for 14 doing the damage 104 all out. Conor Dickson the mainstay of a very successful chase.

Tough afternoon for our 4th team you feel but hopefully the Nomad machine will click into place and bring Felbridge back down to earth.

U13s ECB Cup Adventure Continues at Bromley. Sunday 4th 9am start T20

After securing the Sussex title at Blackstone our U13 face an early road trip this weekend to North Kent to face the Kent Champions. Manager Tom H has been working tirelessly on getting the prep and training done. There is even talk that some of the squad might stay over the night before.

Bromley U13s Gladiators are going to be another tough test for our team. They beat Blackheath in the Kent final on 22nd June. Bromley scored 101 off the allotted, Max Woolf 33 and Agastya Tripathi 23. Then bowled out Heath for 63. Vaibhav Vaidyanath was mom with 5 for 14!

However our U13s are made of stern stuff and fully deserve to be representing Sussex in this important competition. I will take them to be winning this encounter and moving forward!

Well there you have it. Five huge games on the horizon where hopefully the Nomads can win them all. This weekend the main media feed will be coming from Cuckfield and Bromley with news, vids, goss and commentary through the usual channels.

Good luck to all connections.

Cobo