Weekend Round Up 29th 30th July
Middleton take SCMG Thriller, top results for 2s and 4s while 3s lose. Rain takes out Roffey T20 Quarter Final. 2023 Ladies Day is a success.
Sean Heather makes Wonder Catch to break Nomad hearts. Sussex Prem 29/7/2023
It was agony for Nav and his squad when late in the piece Nomads needed just seven runs to take a stunning home victory. The game was finely poised with the hosts 9 down AOB and Musto at the crease. With the Ladies watching on loudly cheering for their team Adam looked to be the hero with an amazing cover drive for 4. On the next delivery he got it square out the middle but visiting skipper Sean Heather dived full length to take a match winning catch. Que wild celebration amongst the travellers and desolation for the home contingent.
Having been slung into the field our strike bowlers did very well up top reducing Middleton to 43 for 3. Josh Clarkson 3 for 55 and Zayn Khan 3 for 60 doing most of the damage. Harry Hovey 34 and Fraser Sheat 47 the main stays of a modest 203 all out. The dreaded word ‘Extras’ need to be mentioned as we gave 19 while they only gave a miserly 3. It was quite important!
Zach has been batting well for the Nomads and I wish him all the luck in getting into Sussex One Day Cup contention. He deserves a chance. His 70 up top looked to have set Nomads on course for a comfortable win as the score sailed to 101 for 3. However, Middleton are made of stern stuff these days and with in 10 overs the game changed. A needless run out and two identical across the line hoik’s back to the bowler put them in charge. Joe Musto steadied the ship with a very patient 20 not out.
But enter Sean Heather.
Rain Fell at Roffey 30/7/2023 2pm start Sussex T20 Cup
Our 1st team gathered at Roffey for their exciting Sussex T20 Quarter Final Clash. There was a threat of rain but both teams were determined to make a start. Unfortunately for all connections just 5 overs were possible with a rematch determined for Sunday 13th August. Many thanks to the travelling Nomads who made the trip, your support is greatly appreciated.
Nav said after ‘we shall look forward to the rematch, it would be fantastic to go back to Hove for the final!’ As to the Sussex Prem he suggests ‘there is still a lot to play for and mathematically we can still win the title. We play Cuckfield away on Saturday and they are flying playing some great cricket. If we can beat them we can go on a late season run’ Full interview on the whattsapp channel.
Bowman says ‘that dramatic loss on Saturday hasn’t helped one bit in our Sussex Prem title tilt. However, with five matches left we aren’t completely out of the running. To stand any chance of being involved in any title talk we need to beat Cuckfield away on Saturday and then EG away on 12th. Let’s Go Shall We!
Owen K Helped Twos to Victory at Ansty. Div 3 29/7
Owen Kernan demonstrated all his bowling skills as Ansty stuttered at home. His three for just 12 off nine overs a wonderful spell with the new ball. Adam Ibrahim took three late wickets as the Nomads skittled the hosts for 79.
Daniel Lategan and Stuart Faith chased that down with ease to take 30 points.
It’s a win that fires our Twos back into Div 3 promotion contention. With 5 games to go it’s a case of just keep winning and let’s see where it takes us. Its Cuckfield at home on Saturday 12.30 start.
4s in Run Fest win at Plumpton Div 9 29/7/23
Our 4s were in tremendous form with the bat at Plumpton and cemented their mid table position in division 9. Half centuries from Arjun, Gary, Luke and the skipper himself took the score to 275 for 7. That was easily enough runs as Plumpton fell for 137. Luca Smith the pick with three for 31. (Message from Cobo well bowled but tidy up that wides column!)
A full report of the game from the skipper can be seen on the club whattsap channel.
Stephen has brought the best out of the 4th team squad winning 6 matches this season. It’s been a hugely encouraging time and with 5 games to go there is reason to suggest that although promotion might be of reach a top 4 finish is on the cards. They host Ardingly on Saturday 1pm start.
Threes 2023 Extra’s Column Hasn’t Helped in Promotion Bid Div 6 29/7 Ditchling at home.
Our Threes have been wonderful at times this season under their effervescent Skipper Fas but for some reason they haven’t been able to shake off the wides yip from day one. They gave another 41 away on Saturday as Ditchling piled on 256. Will Hutchinson turning in 4 for 47 as the Nomads pick.
Archie Eaton was our top batter with 39 off 39 balls but in truth the race was run. 178 all out.
Back-to-back promotions are very hard to come by in any sport at any level, but I applaud Fas and his squad for their vision and concrete belief in securing that for our Third team this season. For a time, it looked a distinct possibility even with that poor extra’s record. However, when extra’s continue to be the 2nd or 3rd top scorer week in week out it takes its toll. As Jonah admitted to me a few weeks ago ‘we are making it very hard for ourselves!’
With 5 games left I am sure that the team will still harbour dreams of that promotion slot. It’s the positive way they roll. Its mathematically possible but that will need to beat Rottingdean away on Saturday.
Cobo says ‘I really love you guys and send all the best for the remainder!’
Ladies Day 29/7/2023
Huge congrats to all concerned who made our 2023 Ladies Day a success. It seems that a ‘quantity’ of fine wine was consumed, and everyone had a great time.
In Conclusion
In terms of 2023 Nomad Silverware and Promotion July hasn’t been a good friend in general. We haven’t been able to sustain that early season League power and our twos and threes bowed out of the T20 competitions. We also lost a full Saturday to rain which was both frustrating and expensive on club coffers. 29th and 30th turned out to be a ‘mixed bag’ so congrats to the 2s and 4s.
But as Nav alludes to there is a lot to play for over the coming 5 weeks. All 4 teams are still in with a mathematical chance of league success. Plus our Ones can still progress to that prestigious Hove T20 Cup Final. I challenge you all to get yourselves up for the 2023 Business End. Let’s take a winning clean sweep on Saturday!
Cobo 1/8/2023