Preston Nomads reflect on what might have been in 2026 – but look forward to 2027
The 2026 cricket season won’t go down as one of Preston Nomads’ finest as the club reflect on two Sussex League relegations and lack of any senior silverware.
The first team, under the expert guidance of club captain Navin Patel, played some wonderful T20 cricket en route to Sunday’s glittering finals night at Hove.
The quarter-final victory against Three Bridges in Fulking went down the wire on a pulsating afternoon and the club were hoping to grab hold of the Daniel Oliver Cup and finish the season with a flourish.
However, it wasn’t to be as Roffey hero Frankie Cripps smashed a quick-fire ton to put the game beyond reach.
Cripps went in with the Boars struggling – at one point they were 51 for 5. However, he found Hove much to his liking hitting a dozen sixes, one putting a hole in a car windscreen, on the way to a 49-ball 125.
Nomads failed to chase the 191 needed leaving Roffey with the Premier League and cup double.
A day earlier, Nomads twos faced Chichester Priory Park in the Sussex League Division 2/3 play-off match at Glynde.
Nomads have been proud of their Division 2 status and have been fighting hard to keep it all season. However seasonal batting frailties resurfaced as Chi forced early wickets under heavy overheads.
Captain Oliver Gatting dug in for a half-century but 137 all out was a little shy of the mark. Nomads made inroads but Chi skipper Mike Smith saw them over the line and into Division 2.
Nomads will need to regroup for Division 3 challenges in 2027.
Nomads fours’ surging rise through the divisions hit the buffers in 2026.
Under popular and talented Kiwi Malori Short the team had enjoyed back-to-back promotions. However, Division 7 proved a step to far and while they played some nice cricket at times three wins was never going to be enough.
The hugely talented and experienced threes played expansive and exciting cricket through their Division 6 campaign but rued some inconsistences and the extras column that left them just outside the promotion places.
I believe cricket here in England is currently going through a huge renaissance with interest soaring at all levels. Our wonderful village grounds here in Sussex are enjoying bigger numbers of spectators’ avidity glued to the action and cheering on their teams.
The sport is attracting many new players all wanting to emulate the stars they watch on TV. They want to hit the ball further, make diving catches and try out all the knuckle balls, yorkers and ‘wobble seam’.
It’s truly raising the standards of the Sussex League so clubs need to move with the times or run the risk of being left behind.
Nomads Chair Rosalind Eaton raised this point in her keynote address: “Nomads turn 100 years’ old in 2027, and we will celebrate the history, but also firmly look forward and strengthen the club for the next 100 years.”
It’s been a challenging season around the Spen Cama Memorial Ground but it’s a certainty that lots will be going on during the winter. Nomads will come out swinging in April 2027 determined to have a successful centenary season.