Preston Nomads get league ambitions back on track
After a couple of poor weekends Preston Nomads roared back into form on Saturday as the first, second and third XIs got their league campaigns back on track.
It was a different story on Sunday as Reigate snuffed out any ECB National Cup progression and the fours were knocked out of the Sussex T20 Trophy.
For the first XI in the Sussex Premier, skipper Nav Patel was in fine form but veteran campaigner Oliver Gatting took Nomads over the line against Cuckfield.
In perfect conditions Cuckfield elected to bat on an excellent wicket at Fulking. Patel is bowling at the top of his game and rubber-stamped a good start to the season by finding the edge of both openers.
Zayn Khan is improving his skills with the new ball and he took 1-28. Chris Mole (63) and Ben Candfield (45) stood up well to the challenge to force a decent score of 232-7.
In reply Zach Lion-Cachet scored a 40-ball 40 up top but three wickets from Joshua Haywood kept Cuckfield in the hunt. Gatting went in at eight with Nomads nerves jangling. However, he kept his composure and showed his class to score 45 not out taking Nomads to an important 30 points and into the chasing pack.
Nomads twos continued their brilliant early-season form with a big win at Division 2 new boys Pagham.
Homegrown Adam Ibrahim is starting to show real promise as an opening batsman. He calmly reeled off a half century including a huge straight six.
Young twos overseas star Matthew Miller from Antigua had a day to remember as he forced his way to an impressive ton, Nomads finishing on 263 all out.
Pagham had a day to forget as the young attack took regular wickets, Miller completing the game with a stunning hat-trick to take Nomads up to third.
Nomads’ third XI went mad at Balcombe in Division 6 Central.
On a traditional fast scoring ground, Sameer Hameed had the time of his life smashing nine sixes on route to a 55-ball ton. William Dale scored 85 as Nomads amassed 380 off 40 overs. Balcombe knew their race was run but should be credited with collecting full batting points in reply.
It’s a win the threes and skipper Faisal Khan needed after back-to-back losses. His team are up to sixth place.
The feelgood factor was knocked on Sunday as Reigate demonstrated total dominance in the ECB National Cup. Patel took out the opening pair cheaply. However, aided by a couple of dropped catches, Tommy Bates (93) and George Ealham (60) helped Reigate to 226 all out.
Sussex star Danial Ibrahim scored a nice half century in response but Reigate bowled out Nomads for 184.
The fourth team are struggling in their new Division 7 environment – they have lost four in a row.
Luke Schildkamp scored a brilliant not-out ton at home against Cuckfield in a total of 239-5 but Cuckfield romped to victory in just 25 overs.
On Sunday the fours bowed out of the Sussex T20 Trophy at Haywards Heath. Skipper Malorie Short said: “There are no excuses, it’s all about taking personal responsibility. We won’t be giving up.”