Preston Nomads are one win from Sussex T20 Cup finals day
Three Bridges CC have dominated the Sussex T20 scene for a while now – and have the regional finals in Hampshire still to come later in the season.
They travelled to Fulking determined to keep that dominance going against Preston Nomads in Sunday’s Sussex quarter-final. Bridges did everything right on the day but came up against a side who produced a wonderful fielding display and an inspirational decision by captain Nav Patel.
The large crowd at Nomads enjoyed a high-class thriller.
Bridges got off to the perfect start as Arran Brown nipped out the top order in quick time. Nomads were stuttering until Jersey-born Jonty Jenner hit two sixes in an important innings of 44. However, it was skipper Nav Patel who used all his experience to bat the remaining five overs to see his side to 130 for 8.
Bridges overseas star Matt Boyle looked to have his side with one foot in the semi-final with four fluent boundaries. However, he was caught behind for 18 which gave Nomads a chance.
Harry Eastman took two wickets up the hill which rocked Bridges. Patel then shuffled the pack to have Eastman come down the hill just two overs later. It was inspirational as Eastman bowled the dangerous Brown. Then Jenner held a world-class catch on the run in the deep to send the Nomads through by just five runs.
Patel said: “That was a brilliant match to be part of, two high class teams going hammer and tongs for the duration. Harry Eastman is in great form – he was our go-to man in the middle.”
It was the best weekend of the season around the SCMG as three of the four senior sides recorded wins on Saturday.
Nomads ones kept their faint Sussex Premier League title hopes alive with a comfortable win at home to Bognor. Nomads newcomer Zan Copleston, 78, and Archie Lenham, 80, were the cornerstone of a total of 311-7 off 58 overs.
Bognor were never in the chase especially as Adam O’Brien took 5-44 to rip out the tail end, Nomads winning by 152 runs.
Fourth team skipper Malorie Short was over the moon as her team took their second Division 7 Central win of the season at home to Keymer.
Michael Dillon, 44, top scored for Keymar but they were given 51 extras in a competitive score of 234. Nomad U15s skipper Harry Scrase had a day to remember with a run-out and then a undefeated 65 to win the match.
Short said: “We’re delighted – Harry was a star, but we know there’s so much we need to clean up if we are to escape relegation.”
Long-standing threes skipper Faisal Khan will be ecstatic his team are now producing the brand of cricket he has longed for. It’s five wins on the trot as they hunt promotion from Division 6 Central.
Nomads’ youth product William Dale continued his remarkable season with four wickets and 95 not out at Rottingdean.
The twos had to settle for a Division 2 draw at East Grinstead. Adam Ibrahim took three wickets as Alex Barker, 75, helped EG to 238-7. Bartosh Short scored a nice 60 up top but batting frailties resurfaced as Kash Ibrahim scored 52, Nomads clinging on 30 runs short eight down.