1st team skipper Dan Phillips and his team made the trip north to the traditionally competitive surrounds of Saint Hill E.G. for a 50 over Sussex Premier League game. The 1st 2021 league action for both clubs. Despite some early afternoon rain showers the ground staff did an amazing job in keeping the game alive. Thanks to EG for hosting. Nomads made the most of their opportunity to showcase some lovely skills and take an imposing 61 run victory.

Against a strong attack of Lewis H and Ian S our openers Nathan and Jake dug in well to some vicious balls coming through at speed. It was very pleasing to have our entire order in tack when the 1st rain shower past over the ground for 30 mins. On return to action Jake eventually snicked for a wonderful 25 off 30 balls, an encouraging opening stand of 36. Dan I made a dramatic start with a boundary off his 1st delivery but Sturmer trapped him soon after. Liam went after spinner Sam Rattle but found a fielder out deep for 16.

Dan P played a typical skippers innings. After taking a painful one to the lower leg and needing a runner (Jake) he went on to score a swashbuckling 43 with a 6 and five boundaries. Nathan, after 79 balls eventually fell to a sharp Adkins catch for 39 well constructed runs.

Nav 20 and our new recruit Daniel Birrell 19 no put the finishing touches to a brilliant inns of 206 for 8 off 48 overs.

Heavy rain fell during the break!

In reply Nomads were always in charge showing glimpses of the raw talent available in the war chest. Nav and Daniel blazed away to put the dangerous EG top order under pressure. It was Birrell who claimed his first Nomad wicket when the skipper took a neat catch at 1st slip. As wickets began to tumble it was only Ian Sturmer at 6 who offered any real resistance (45). The final action a towering catch by our keeper Jake. EG 133 all out.

In a brilliant debut Birrell went on to take 4 for 31 off 6 and scoping two fantastic and important catches. Youngsters Adam O and Dan I also produced three wickets a piece.

Dan told his team later ‘we played some great cricket today against a team with county players’

Bowman said ‘ a brilliant start to the 2021 League campaign and not for 1st time this season catching was first class (8 in total). It might be a boring part of the game but taking catches does win matches. Dan B took 4 wickets and 19 not out on debut but for me he demonstrated real athletic prowess to take two very important catches, one a ‘worldy’. For that more than anything I hope he accepts my man of the match award.

Our 1st team with, hungry players looking for inclusion, demonstrated that we can mix it with the best here in Sussex but hopefully there is more to come from such a talented squad of players. There are things to work on of course which will take us to a new level. Perhaps the most important, as pointed out by Nathan P, is once batters get a start they need to go on and make that match winning big one.

Plus note to self dont stand in front of site screen.

We move on!

Cobo