County cup hopes ended by Nomads

The first and second teams were both beaten away to Preston Nomads in the quarter-finals of their respective Gray-Nicolls Sussex T20 Cups.

Bexhill could only manage a squad of 17 players for both teams after injuries and withdrawals on Saturday evening and, as per the Sussex League rules, they could only field 10 men for the second XI.

After the heavy morning rain, the second XI match was reduced to 15-overs-per-side. Bexhill chose to bat and despite captain Neil Blatchly making 61 from 43 balls, their total of 101-2 never looked enough. James Walker was 27 not out.

Despite some fine fielding from the 10 men, Nomads won comfortably by six wickets with 2.5 overs to spare. Byron Smith, Ethan Guest and Will Harvey picked up a wicket each, and Smith also effected a run out.

The first XI played afull 20-over game, albeit with only six players who had featured in the previous day’s league fixture.

After a frantic start, Bexhill pegged Nomads back to a resonable 159-5, which was built on a third wicket stand of 103.Shawn Johnson was the outstanding bowler with 4-21 in his four overs. Liam Bryant was the other wicket-taker.

Bexhill chased hard, but were always just behind the rate. Tom Powell (40 in 29 balls) and captain Johnathan Haffenden (30 from 17 balls) were the main runscorers as Bexhill were all out for 138 with seven balls left.

Bexhill were cheered on by more than 20 travelling supporters (outnumbering Nomads), many of whom endured an horrendous journey.

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