Cricket: It’s double disappointment for Middleton

Middleton v Preston Nomads

Sussex Premier League

Middleton’s batting failed to fire - and they now have just one more chance to save themselves from relegation.

Heavy rain meant water had got on to the wicket and the toss was going to be vital. Nomads won it and Middleton found themselves batting first.

A breakthrough was not long in coming as Sussex bowler Matt Hobden produced a good ball to bowl opener Will Burrows in just the second over.

Fellow opener Rob Willway set about a solid defence of his wicket, whilst those around him found things difficult. Only Beck Hemingway (18) managed to reach double figures.

Willway (33) was fifth to fall with the score on 73 when adjudged lbw. Middleton suffered the equivalent of the nervous 90s when their innings went from 91 for five to 95 all out. Stuart Faith (4-41) and Tim Moses (3-12) were the pick of the Nomads bowlers.

Nomads knocked off the required runs in 15.5 overs, with Dan Phillips (37*) and Aaron Phillips (33*) the main run scorers in a nine-wicket victory.

This Saturday, Middleton end their league programme at leaders Roffey, knowing a win could prevent relegation. Going into the final week there are five teams at the foot of the table separated by just 11 points.

Middleton v Preston Nomads

Sussex Premier T20

Middleton took plenty of supporters with them to the County Ground in Hove for the final of the Sussex Premier League T20 competition.

The opposition, as the previous day, were Preston Nomads and this time Middleton won the toss and put Nomads in.

Jofra Archer, bowling with good pace and carry, was in the wickets early, taking three for ten. Keelan Shoulders (0-31), Jamie Thompson (1-25), Rob Willway (3-46) and Beck Hemingway (0-22) all bowled well and were well supported a great display of fielding from the whole team.

Nomads made 160 for eight from their 20 overs with Aaron Phillips 66 not out.

Middleton opener Rob Willway led from the front as Middleton set about the chase. A good mid-innings contribution from Patrick Colvin, scoring 30 off 13 balls, brought the run rate down.

At the start of the 17th over they needed just 20 to win with Willway on 60 and Sean Heather 20. But Willway was caught at long-on off the final ball of Carl Simon’s final over and Heather was bowled in the next over for 21.

Suddenly Middleton had two new batters in and from the final over, Middleton still needed ten to win. They ended on 156 for seven just four short.

It was a fantastic effort by the team, fully appreciated by the large number of Middleton’s travelling supporters.

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