Locked in Sussex Div 3 East Promotion Battle.

We have eluded in the past this division is proving very tricky to predict as it seems all teams can beat each other on their day.  However, the Nomads have now put themselves in a very solid position having secured three wonderful wins on the bounce.  The latest coming at sunny Cherry Lane, Crawley against the Crawley Eagles.

With James McKemey out injured (calf) Oliver Gatting once again stepped in as Skipper.  On a very warm afternoon it was the hosts who won the toss and elected to bat. Gatting told his team to go hard in the 1^st 15 overs and let’s see where we are.  Energy levels in the field were very high, the bowlers enjoying good support.  On a lightning quick outfield ground fielding was of a high standard. 

However, it was the hosts openers who got off to a good start as they made 48 for the opening stand.  Unfortunately, many of those runs came by the way of extra’s down the leg side and off to the boundary.  Ombaashi Gresh-Cato, battled well through the heat up top and eventually was rewarded with taking out both openers.  He also produced the Champagne moment with a stunning caught and bowled to take out the dangerous Umair Ahmad, at 3, for a duck.  He was given a blow after 7 overs but not before making top order inns destroying inroads of 3 for 21.

After drinks at 15 overs Gatting decided to go to his spinners in an attempt to take wickets.  Jaedyn Bartosh Short was given nine overs to work his magic.  In that time, he took three wickets for just 30 runs at an economy rate of 3.33.  Jaedyn was also on hand to take a smart catch off the bowling of Baalaaj Khan who took two wickets for 29 runs.  As the Eagles wings were being clipped it was time for young Adam Ibrahim to have his time in the spotlight.  His first over, a bit of a loosener, produced a wicket, Harry Streak with a fine catch.  His final three overs were on the money and very pleasing to watch.  He went on to secure impressive figures of four overs three for 14.

The hosts 147 all out.

Tea taken.

After an early breakthrough for the Eagles  Jaedyn (46) and Nomads Legend Jeremy Green got their heads down to produce a very tidy and perhaps match winning partnership of 61 runs.  Green had to go after being caught driving.  In no mood to let a good position slide away Baalaaj Khan (25) and Sebastian Eaton (25)  played quite beautifully to capture a 50 partnership.  Muadh Kahn settled the match with two lusty blows in the 37^th over.

Oliver said after ‘a great team effort, we bowled and batted well and it’s a massive 30 points. Going forward every game is a cup final but winning makes it easy!’

Adam I is very much part of the twos vibe this season and is making vital contributions.  His first club interview can be seen on the club whattsapp site.   He said ‘ it was wasn’t easy out there today but we played well to get the win’   Asked about the future he said ‘I just want to keep going and playing as many games as I can!’ 

Jaedyn also spoke to waiting media which you can see on whattsapp.  ‘It was quite difficult out there, so you had to be patient. The twos are doing really well so it’s nice to be able to contribute with both bat and ball, I am really enjoying my cricket!’

Bowman says ‘many thanks to Eagles for hosting and good luck for the remainder.  A new ground ticked off for yours truly.  It’s a massive 30 away points for our twos who had to work very hard for the victory.  49 extra’s given away was a concern but that aside a deserved victory against one of the front runners.  Jaedyn receives the Man of the Match award for a valuable all-around contribution.

The Div 3 East table is starting to take shape with the Nomads sitting in third place behind Ifield and Buxted.  Remember only the top team will automatically be promoted.  The 2^nd place team will go into a play off against the 2^nd place team in the west ( Steyning, Pagham, Roffey or Ansty).  As Gatting eludes to there are 8 cup finals to come but next weeks block buster against 4^th place Rye at the SCMG looks set to be a cracker and very important.    

Cobo  17/7/22