Two’s Bounce Back but Three’s and Four’s Miss Out.

After last weekend’s disappointment at Portslade it is only fitting that our 2^nd Team, under the guidance of James M  get top billing after bouncing back with a win against Crawley Eagles on Div 3.  Last week James told his squad that they simply needed to bat better.  His top order read the memo with George, Ollie, Stuart, Muadh and Najayah scoring 201 between them at the SCMG. It makes life a lot easier for the bowlers when there is something to hang onto. Baalaaj Khan probably waltzed into man of the match territory with five for 16 off 6 over.  Trust me, his economy rate so far this season is excellent!  It turned into a 128 run win and 30 points.  On Saturday they make the long trek east to Rye.

James said.  Really happy. After last week’s disappointment we’d talked about showing more intent with the bat and we *really* delivered. The whole top 5 passed 30, played their shots at the right times and put the fielders under pressure. To be uber critical if one or two went big we could have got 280+ and been out of sight, but 252 was more than decent.

Bowling wise the openers took two a piece, Zayn’s bumper and yorker dismissals were memorable. But the man of the match has to be Baalaaj who used a dry deck expertly, picking up a really sparkling 5 wicket haul. He was generating turn and bounce for fun and threatened with almost every ball.

In the field there was a marked improvement too. We really won the battle with bat, ball and fielding today.

Still room to improve all around though, and that’s the aim. But we’re off and running.

Threes Fall into Palmers Trap at Hove Rec  Sussex Div 7.

Let’s be honest trying to secure a win at Hove Rec is quite the assignment.  It’s a unique kind of ground with ‘trying’ but lightning surfaces to field in and a road to bat on. If you give Palmers an inch, they will take a mile.  After a decent couple of early overs Palmers suddenly found their feet and were away.  To be fair we were a little wayward with our bowling and we had a few nightmares in the field (if we are honest).  Jeremy Blick scored 81 up top, then Alfie Brand scored 98 and finally Minar Uddin a half century.  We also gave them 32 extra’s.  Mal Short did peg back some ground late on with 4 for 60 but it was really far too late.   Palmers rested on 310.

Nomads can be proud of a decent run chase as Man of the Moment Mike Burney scored 54 and Jamie Patrick scored 56 not out as we went to 260 for 7.  50 runs short.

It’s one to learn from and if we go back there next season, we will need to get at them from ball one and really stand on their throats.    On Saturday our Three’s, with Faisal back at the helm, are at home to Horsted Keynes from 1pm.  Div 7.  A huge opportunity to bounce right back.

Fours Fall Wrong Side of Thriller at SCMG.   St Matthias Win  Sussex Div 8

Our 4^th Team sage Andy Garth spills the beans.

Thursday 12th message received from Captain Oliver DSO GC ECB, I was required to play St Mathias at the SCMG.
Friday 13th Unlucky for some(especially me)message from Captain,
Would I mind not playing for Cash, of course, how much, No Kash, the 3rd/4th best cricketer in the Ibrahim house  so it would be an honour to umpire and see close up the quality of spin bowling from…..Symsie(who opened the batting and the bowling, which for those of you who haven’t seen him lately would not be an argument you would want to have with him!)
Hot day, dusty track and the youngsters Charlie and George, keen as mustard, Stephen wanted to field first as Kash was going to be late, but no we were batting.
Youth and Experience started but unfortunately David, Charlie, Huw and Carlos went cheaply.
Kingsley and Stephen then batted sensibly and at 19 overs we were 76 for 4.
At 19.1 overs Kingsley was LbW so we decided to have drinks…..big mistake, by the end of that over we were 77 for 7!!!! Congrats to the bowler who had a triple wicket maiden.
Unlucky for Luke and Danny and Stephen.
Darren had  a bash then luckily Kash had eventually arrived and was in with George.
The tactics of keeping the strike worked for a while and a fine partnership was ended with Kash caught on the boundary for 116.
George listened ran and was not out for 1.
Early tea with a 3.30 start and a possibly early home time?
Symsie oohed and ahhed and bowled a very tidy spell getting 3.
Darren, clean shaven and suave got one, dropped one and caught one.
The fielding was very tight and suddenly a great spell from George which produced a wicket, the impossible was becoming possible.
Then the machine known as Kasheeeee! joined the party.
He not only out foxed the batsmen, but his own wickie and fielders! but got 3 wickets and at 90 for 8 it was still on.
But it wasn’t to be but it did take them over 38 overs to get it.
It was a great game played in great spirit (despite 7 LBW decisions).
The fourths March onwards next week to the middle of nowhere known as Smallfield with hope and confidence, but with the knowledge that Kash can’t buy you everything.

There you have it.  Week two in the Sussex League and we have four wins and four losses in the books.  Its no wonder we are Mid Table (upper mid for the Ones) across four leagues. 

Have a great week Nomads, work hard at nets and let’s try for a winning clean sweep on 21^st May.

Cobo