As we have already seen our 1st Team gained the maximum 30 Sussex Premier League points when beating EG on the North Square. There were three other fixtures going on under blazing sunshine. There was a thriller on the South Square and a tough one at St James but we start with a very important victory at Cowden for skipper Stephen Oliver and his 4th team.

4th Team Done and Dusted by 3.30 at Cowden as Darren takes 5! 4s Comfortable in Div 8 and can start looking up.

Thank you to Stephen for his great report.

4th Team journal: 17 July 2021 – Spoiler alert…we won!

The 4th team set out to Kent in their latest match in the Central Sussex league (me too…) and thanks to Sat nav we assembled in the right place at the right time. This was aided in no small part by Danny taking a charabanc of educational students and everyone else in possession of a driving licence also possessing sat nav (look it up kids, once upon a time sat nav did not exist…).

So, we arrive in Cowden (a place you have probably never been to) and commence normal pre-match activity. Juniors run around, seniors ponder and Graham Watson throws a ball very hard at the wicket. Graham’s experiment revealed (i) he can throw very hard at very short distances and (ii) the wicket was likely unresponsive. The opposition captain subsequently described in (too) much detail about the amount of effort that goes into pitch preparation!

My coin toss success continues and we follow the well worn theory of being a bowling team. Unleashing Carter and Darren on unsuspecting opposition, play began. For the first few overs, it looked like Nomads had taken a benevolent society to the opposition. With at least 3 catches passing through the hands of PNCC. Jonah says he counted more (because the Captain was also part of this sub-team, but that is unnecessary to know).

Then Darren bowled straight and again. Then he pushed a fuller delivery which swung back nicely to see of the major batting threat. Finishing off with 2 more straight deliveries, his final analysis was 8 overs 5 wickets and 17 runs (but no maidens). Carter at the other end provided accurate support with a wicket and a miserly 11 runs off 8 overs. With a sharp run out by Carter the opposition were almost finished. Truth be told they only had 9 players, so after 19 overs we were back in the pavilion discussing how to score 45 runs.

Mike and Graham took differing approaches. Fair play to the Cowden opening bowler who made life difficult, especially for Graham, with a series of balls that cut back towards legs and stumps. However, at the other end, after providing catching practice to Cowden, Mike bashed some loose deliveries to the boundary (and beyond) for a fairly swift 10 wicket win.

PS – Important to say that having an active membership and lots of availability to play Saturday/Sunday/Midweek is critical to all clubs. We welcome players young (and not so) please make yourself available and join in!

Third Team and Poynings Create Thriller on South Square watched by many. Despite loss Symes Proud of his Team.

Having spoken with 3rd Team skipper David this morning he was naturally disappointing to lose the game but was full of pride for his team especially the Youth who stood up to the plate. He said ‘two foot left or right of point and the game would of been our’s!’

Having been stuck in the field on the blazing day Nomads got off to a good start however Adam R took an injury early on which forced him off the field. Adam, if you are reading the club wished you a speedy recovery.

Poynings batted well but we dropped a couple of chances late on which allowed them to get to 231 for 6. Adam (U13s Skipper) I is doing his family proud with another fine bowling performance. 3 for 49 off his 5 overs.

In reply Nomads suffered not one but two run out up top but the Skipper (31) and Faisal (28) steadied the ship with a 60 odd partnership. Nomads MOM Alex Hunt then brought the game into parody with a fine 57 (his dad would of been proud). Archie Eaton 31 not not and Will H (U13s) then helped create an absorbing last over which had the large crowd on the edge of their seats. Nomads needed 14. Two quick boundaries from Archie and a snick for 4 from Will had our 3s on the verge. With the very last ball of the inns and two needed Will got a full contact on the ball which was then flying. But it was agony as point plucked it out the sky !

James M Disappointed after St James Loss. Fight for Sussex Div 2 survival starts Now.

Our 2nd Team under the expert guidance of skipper James Mckemey have done extremely well in their 1st 11 games of season 2021 amounting 151 points in the process. However a little run of just 15 points from the last three games have taken their toll on the league table. Whilst a comfortable 6th place of 10 there is just a few meager points separating those bottom 5 teams.

St James are emerging from the pack and are on the rise in Div 2 as they look towards obtaining a Sussex Prem card next season. Toby Pullan and Michael Murray were in commanding form with 7 wickets as Nomads stuggled to 128 all out off 37.3 overs. Michael English top scored with 32 runs. Pullan then scored 54 as that total was rattled off in 21 overs.

Bowman say’s ‘ Winning the Sussex Premier League should occupy all our thoughts and be our number one goal this season. But keeping our 2s in Div 2 would also be a monumental achievement for the club. Lets carry that fight shall we!