First of all everyone at the Nomads would like to send a massive thank you out to Gary Stanley, his team,  The 1^st Central Sussex Cricket League all the staff at the 1^st Central County Ground and all Middleton connections for a truly stunning and memorable day out.   Having both games played in such a wonderful arena and in that pulsating atmosphere, the second under lights, would have been a treasure to all 44 players. It’s an experience that I am sure they will want to repeat!!

Nomad 2s Batters on form as Catches win Matches!  Nomads 2s Elect to Bat Sussex Trophy Final

From the offset Nomad 2s signalled great intent getting after the Middleton attack.  8 runs coming off the 1^st over. Najiyah Raynor 23 and Baalaaj Khan 40 making a rapid 46 opening stand.  Chris Borsoi made himself a pillar with an un broken 20 not out as Kiwi Jaedyn Bartosh-Short got into his stride.  With visiting Mum and Dad and Sister Mal watching on he belted no less than 7 fours and huge six on the way to 47 off just 27 balls.  Skipper James McKemey (19 not out) put the final touches to 174 for 5 off the allotted.

Drinks taken.

In contrast the Middleton top order couldn’t quite cope with the repertoire of Amor and Khan who both took two important wickets up top.  Ziggy Anderson taking a superb catch out deep.  Ravi Jadav took an impressive caught and bowled to dismiss the dangerous Murray Carter.  With Middleton struggling on 56 for 4 Rocco Gamblin was offering some resistance until keeper James M had him brilliantly caught behind.  Richard Cox then drilled a fierce drive but ‘gun fielder’ Muadh neatly plucked it from the sky.  Sam Bell was last man out again to a neat catch from Raynor. Middleton bowled for 96.  Nomads Legend and veteran Kashif Ibrahim show cased all his skills picking up three for 29.

Nomads were elated and delighted to pick up the Trophy as was Jaedyn who picked up the player of the match award.   He said later ‘really enjoyed that it was lovely that my folks (from Hawks Bay NZ) were here to watch it’

Middleton Win the Cup in a Thriller Under Lights!   6pm start  Sussex T20 Cup Final

In a pulsating atmosphere generated by both sets of fans, Sean Heather got the ball rolling with a Player of the Match inns of 59 including two huge sixes. Harry Hovey also played well to score 21 up top.  However, runs were quite hard to come by as Nomad spinners Will Collard and Adam O’Brien stemmed the flow.  Dan ‘Cannon’ Phillips was on had to take two steepling catches out deep as Middleton had to rest on a slightly below par 128 for 6.

Sussex CCC white ball specialist Harrison Ward looked in great touch with a 26 ball 29 before being caught by former Nomad Mason Robinson behind the stumps.  Dan Phillips also looked calm and collected as the score cruised to 57 for 3.  However, a cluster of wickets fell in the nineties which turned the tide towards the ever-increasing Middleton energy.  Nomads skipper Navin Patel (32 not out) did everything he could to see the Nomads home.  But the game was up when pinch hitter Zayn Kahn was run out to leave the Fulking side just 12 runs short.   Que wild celebration in the Middleton hordes!

Thanks to both teams for producing a T20 match of high technical skills and drama which had everyone on the edge of their seats.  A memorable occasion for sure!

 Cobo   Preston Nomads CC Press Officer.