Horsham Head Ground keeper Alex Ellis produced a belter where a large Cricketfield Road crowd were treated to no less than 675 runs (just 14 extra’s) in a batter focused draw.  The match witnessed three centuries as Nomads Oversea’s Nick Greenwood smashed the 2026 Sussex Prem record with 192.  Horsham’s powerhouse batting line up chased with purpose as Sussex ccc opener Tom Haines scored 128.  Despite 5 wickets for Club Captain Nav Patel both sides had to settle for an honourable draw.  Nomads taking the lions share of the points 18 to 9.

Will Beer won the toss and elected to send his troops out to field. Meanwhile Nav was very happy as he felt it was a good deck, great weather so no excuses to go big.  The scene was set early as Dan Phillips (26) and Greenwood showed makers names for the 1^st ten.  They built a wonderful solid platform to calm any nerves 62 with out loss. Sussex ccc and Nomad youth product Danny Ibrahim then demonstrated all of his county credentials with a brilliant knock showing patience, guile and then four huge sixes on route to 119. For any budding young top order batters watching on his and Nicks partnership of 279 was the perfect example of how to build the engine room of an inns.  They rotated the strike, kept the ball on the ground and had Horsham running around the hot sun.  By the time Danny was out Nomads were well in control of their destiny. Nav allowed Jonty and Archie free reign to go wow the crowd for half hour.  Jenner hitting the club house roof and produced an exquisite cover drive.  Archie launched his 1^st ball over the sightscreens.

Tea taken at 378 for 4 off 56 overs.

In reply Horsham legend Will Beer and proud youth product Tom Haines set about the daunting reply.  A wonderful inns of 65 from Ramsey Trainer including 10 fours and a rapid 25 from Louie Lawrence had the hosts dreaming of a generational and history making chase.  They were 248 for 4 with 18 overs to go. However, Patel, showing his imperious best roared into action taking five for 66. The champagne moment arriving as Nomads debutant Zan Copleston took a world class low catch to take out the dangerous Bertie Forman.  Haines eventually going for 128 in a well crafted chanceless inns.  Nick Oxley 25 n.o. and George Briance 20 n.o. were in no mood to give the game up as Horsham held on for that comfortable draw.

Nav said later ‘we are pretty pleased but quite tired right now. I asked the boys to keep running in but when you are facing guys like Tom they made it look very easy. It was pleasing to get the 6 wickets out there on a batters paradise’  As to Nick he said ‘he has been showing signs and has been working extremely hard in trading. I was proud of him and of course Danny Ibs who weighed in with a brilliant ton’  Looking at the Premier league table he warned ‘the table has narrowed up again today and we host Bridges next week. We are no means giving up on the Sussex Prem title!’

Nick said ‘I am an opener back at home and Nav asked me to do it a couple of weeks ago. I think its my natural position’ As to his partner he explained ‘I enjoy batting with Dan, he is a bit rouge at times, but he has his own style. That left-hand right-hand combination works well’  In the field he said ‘ Nav bowled really well and deserved his 5 wickets but in the end it was always going to be a draw’

Huge thanks to all at Horsham for hosting at wonderful Cricketground Road.  A personal thanks to the bar staff and food outlet for looking after us on a long hot but very entertaining day. Good luck to Will and his team going forward.  We have proved that Nomads have that powerhouse batting unit needed to win these declaration games. Hopefully we can go big again at home on Saturday against a faltering Bridges.  Huge congrats to Nick who scored 192 to be the Player of the Match.

Colin Bowman 12/07/2026