Ones and Twos in League Glory Hunt as U16s win Festival at Arundel.

The business end of season 2023 has started relatively well for the Nomads. With just two Saturdays to go our Ones and Twos have put themselves front and centre in the race for Sussex League glory. Our Threes took out a moral boasting derby win at Poynings while the 4s put up a wonderful fight against top of the league Turners Hill.  But we start with our U16s who won their festival final at famous Arundel Castle.

 

Willsdon Sorts it out Early  SJCF Arundel Castle final 20/8/2023  

After a tremendous week of Festival cricket both Nomads and St Peters found themselves in the amazing environment of Arundel Castle CC. It’s a stunning ground where some of the greats of the game have applied their skills and craft.  Our boys were in determined mood to enjoy and more importantly savour the moment.  It’s unclear when or if you get another opportunity to play there.

St Peters won the toss and decided to bat.  Peirce and Yardy batted really well up top taking the score to 43 with out loss.  The Brighton based side would have been feeling quite relaxed.  But that changed rapidly as three wickets fell in quick succession.  St Peters were then stuck in neutral as wickets fell at an ever-increasing rate.  McGuiness provided some cover with a study 24 off 41 but St Ps had to settle on 121 all out.  Kusel 3 for 15 and a couple a piece for Mansour and Ibrahim doing the damage.

Tea

In reply it turned into a Nomads procession as our openers ripped the game away. In form Felix Ventnor scored 33 rapid runs but it was MOM Ben Willsdon who calmly steered the Fulking outfit across the line.  His 60 not out including 8 boundaries was outstanding!

Rob said later ‘What a brilliant day, Not just the immense performance by the boys who fully deserved their success but the occasion at the incredibly picturesque ground. The boys are truly lucky to have such an opportunity at PNCC. Thanks for all the support’

Bowman says ‘it seems as though there was energy and skill shown out in the field especially with 8 grabs on the card. Very pleasing to see.  One thing though, it didn’t matter on the day but sharpen up that extra’s column (25). 9 wides and 9 no balls could really hurt you on another occasion!  Huge congrats to everyone involved who produced a stunning and proud day for Preston Nomads CC’

 

Batters in Great Late Season Form. Sussex Premier League. Tons for Poole and Jenner SCMG 19/8

Our 1^st team are in sublime form putting themselves in Sussex League title discussions. Out of form Horsham turned up with heads draped and in just a few overs their demeanour wouldn’t have improved.  Nathan Poole and Jeadyn Bartosh Short bounced out of the gates to put on a match defning 107 for the 1^st wicket.  Poole then went on to make a lovely ton off just 133 balls. The stage was then set of a Jersey inspired onslaught.  Jonty Jenner showed all his international class with six maximums on route to 126 off just 77 runs.  Horsham could only stand and admire.

In reply our inform skipper Nav Patel quickly took two for 23 as Horsham waved a white flag.  Nick Oxley can be proud of his resistant 42. However, spin did the damage as AOB and Will Collard both took three wickets for next to nothing.

It’s a season for Horsham to forget in a hurry but the Nomads go marching on with 30 points tucked away.

Surprise package Cuckfield are still clear favourites to pick up their debut Sussex League Premier title. However, they will need to go to Bognor on Saturday and produce the goods. Nav and his players troop off east to Mayfield on Saturday knowing that victory might take this fascinating race into the final week.  

Nav’s full reaction can be found on the wattsapp channel.

Twos in Div Three Play off Hunt

As we discovered earlier in the week our twos were featured in the Match of the Day at Lindfield.  It might have been a loss but Division three is as tight as it comes with 5 sides still gunning for that all important play off spot.

All James and his crew can do is win the last two games and then hope.  The next opportunity is an exciting home game against relegation threatened Bexhill starting at 12.30  45 overs each.  All focus will be on that one.

Yosef peels back the Years at Poynings.  Threes win the derby!   Div 6

Our Threes, under the effervescent Fas Khan had been gallantly chasing a double promotion in 2023 but unfortunately, due to a recognised issue, there dreams had faded a little while ago.  But they travelled to close rivals Poynings and came up with a very satisfying win.

Archie Eaton took three for just 11 runs up top but it was experienced Nomad campaigner Yosef Salameh who did most damage with four for 16.  Poynings all out for just 92.

Chris Baker played well for 22 not out but Oscar Sheffield settled matters very quickly 34 not out.

It’s a result that cements the 3s into mid table who can now enjoy their last two games. They entertain Scaynes Hill on Saturday 1pm start 40 overs each.

Ted Hutchingson Takes 2 in 2 for 4s to unsettle Turners Hill   Div 9  SCMG

Turners Hill are the premier team in Div 9 and proved their worth with a 70 run win at the SCMG.  However, it wasn’t all plain sailing as our 4s continued their very promising season.  Sam Bateman secured a half century up top but Malorie and Darren smashed into the top order. It was then the Ted Hutchingson show, 3 for 25, as he took out Baston and the dangerous Gupta in consecutive balls.  The score was 105 for 5.  That would have got their attention but Hill responded like champions elect. Lake and Norman taking the total to 216 all out.

Gupta took his batting frustration out with the ball picking up 4 for six 16 runs as the Nomad effort stalled.  Burney, Morris and skipper Oliver all got nice starts but 146 all out was never going to get it done.

Our 4s are virtually assured a very pleasing 4^th place in the league and can go into the penultimate week at St Andrews Burgess Hill in very confident mood.

Please see the whattsapp group for Stephen’s take on proceedings.

Well, there you have it.  An excellent weekend around the SCMG where Nomads might not be box seat for 2023 honours, but we have put ourselves very much in the mix.  We now going into a stunning bank holiday weekend with lots of opportunities and hope including the small matter of a Sussex T20 Cup semi final at Findon on Sunday.

Lets Go Nomads all of us Together !!!

 

Cobo