Cuckfield CC Match Reports - 30/05/26

Cuckfield 1st XI Vs Preston Nomads 1st XI

After a defeat to Three Bridges a week ago, Cuckfield made the short drive to Preston Nomads in the hope of returning to winning ways. It was Cuckfield who won the toss, and they elected to bat.

Preston Nomads started well with Nav Patel (3-48) taking two early wickets. Firstly, Ben Willsdon was caught behind after one which lifted off a length, and 3 balls later he had Cuckfield’s overseas Omair Yousuf caught at extra cover, leaving Cuckfield 8-2. Some clean ball striking from Joe Cambridge (39) gave Cuckfield some momentum, but when his partner Brad Gayler (8) was caught behind off Zayn Khan (1-28) and Joe was caught on the boundary off Daniel Ibrahim (1-13), Cuckfield found themselves struggling on 67-4 only 15 overs in. The pitch certainly had something in it for the bowlers, however, at this point Cuckfield began the rebuilding process. Ollie Graham (36) was joined by Chris Mole (63), and the pair worked hard through the middle overs, rotating the strike as Preston Nomads utilised a myriad of spin options. The partnership was broken by Nick Greenwood (1-28) as Graham looked to accelerate but only found himself caught in the ring with Cuckfield now 132-5 and 35 overs into their innings. Mole was joined by Ben Candfield (45), and the pair were able to add a further 67 to the score in a useful middle order partnership. Just as Cuckfield looked to be pressing on, Mole was dismissed by Patel and Candfield fell shortly after to Archie Lenham (1-49). A few useful runs coming from the lower order in the final few overs boosted Cuckfield to 232-7 off their allotted 50 overs.

Defending a total that was thought to be slightly below par, the Cuckfield bowling unit were aware that they needed to get off to a good start in the initial power play. Unfortunately, this plan was scuppered by the Preston Nomads openers who took 18 from the first over. Despite Will Galbraith-Gibbons (1-35) picking up the wicket of Daniel Phillips with one that nipped back, and Sam Candfield (1-43) dismissing Daniel Ibrahim, the Nomads batters were scoring at a regular pace. The main damage was caused by Zach Lion-Cachet (40), but when he and batting partner Nick Greenwood (20) were dismissed by Josh Hayward (3-45) and Thanvi Choudhury (2-50), Preston Nomads had raced to 95 off 13 overs but found themselves 4 down. Jonty Jenner (34) joined Archie Lenham (16) at the crease, and the pair were able to put on 49 through some fine ball striking and quick running between the wickets. It was Hayward that broke the partnership bowling Jenner, and shortly after he had Lenham LBW to leave Nomads on 148-6 after 24 overs. At this stage, both teams were aware not all overs would be required, but the game remained in the balance with Cuckfield hunting for 4 wickets whilst Nomads still needed 84. With plenty of overs in hand, the Nomads batters proceeded sensibly, taking minimal risks and absorbing the pressure. Cuckfield toiled away and were finally rewarded when Choudhury dismissed Amman Khan (19) with the score at 196-7. Throughout this period, Ollie Gatting (45*) remained in control, and despite Nav Patel being caught late in the day off Ben Candfield (1-39), Cuckfield weren’t able to create the chances they needed to win the game, and Nomads were able to complete their chase of 232 losing 8 wickets, in a close run game right up until Gatting deservedly struck the final runs with a straight 6 to win the game.

There were many positives for Cuckfield, who will take these into their final 50/50 game of this block against Bognor Regis next week.

Cuckfield 2nd XI Vs Rottingdean 1st XI

Cuckfield 2nd XI produced a professional all-round performance to secure a convincing seven-wicket win over Rottingdean in Division 3 East at the Main Ground on Saturday.

After winning the toss and electing to field, Cuckfield restricted Rottingdean to 210-8 from their 45 overs. The visitors were unable to build any substantial partnerships as wickets fell at regular intervals. Sean Campleman top-scored with 39, while Rory Hobbs added 32.

Hayden Wickwar and Josh Gander were the pick of the bowlers with two wickets apiece, while Tom Lord and Nick Patterson claimed one each. Cuckfield were also sharp in the field, with some good catching and a runout.

In reply, Cuckfield made light work of the chase, reaching 212-3 in just 42.2 overs. Ralph Figgins anchored the innings superbly with an unbeaten 82, guiding the side through the middle overs after the early loss of Josh Downey for 19.

George Galbraith-Gibbons then accelerated the scoring with an excellent unbeaten 61 from just 45 balls, striking ten boundaries as he and Figgins shared an unbroken partnership to seal victory. Earlier contributions from Johnny Prior (16) and Josh Gander (17) helped keep the chase on track.

The win earned Cuckfield 30 points and continued their strong start to the Sussex Cricket League campaign.

Cuckfield 3rd XI Vs Preston Nomads 4th XI

It was a gorgeous day as Cuckfield made the trip to Preston Nomads, and it proved to be a successful afternoon for the visitors in an entertaining contest.

Captain Matt Wynn won the toss and elected to bowl first, backing his side to make early inroads on a surface that looked like it would only improve for batting as the day progressed.

Cuckfield's bowlers made an excellent start. While wickets were initially hard to come by, the disciplined attack restricted the scoring opportunities and built pressure throughout the innings. Backed by a sharp fielding display that allowed very little to get through, Cuckfield kept the home side in check during the opening exchanges.

The breakthrough finally came in the 25th over when the Preston opener, having battled hard to lay a solid platform, was run out after a misjudged single to Sharne Mayers. From that point, Cuckfield seized control. Rich Amer used all his experience to claim the next wicket, while Matt Slinger and Fred Fairhall chipped in with a wicket apiece. Charlie Mole also produced a crucial run out as Preston Nomads looked to increase the scoring rate in the closing overs.

Despite their efforts, the home side found it difficult to break free against a disciplined Cuckfield attack and finished on 239/5 from their allocation.

In reply, Cuckfield's chase got off to a blistering start thanks to Dave Downey and Matt Wynn. The pair took the attack to the Nomads bowlers from the outset, putting the hosts immediately on the back foot.

Downey's entertaining innings came to an end for 25, but Wynn continued to dominate the bowling, producing a superb knock of 97 and falling agonisingly short of a deserved century.

With the platform firmly established, Sharne Mayers carried on the momentum with a magnificent unbeaten 82, while Rich Amer capped off an excellent all-round performance with 24 not out.

The visitors raced to their target in just 23.3 overs, finishing on 240/2 and securing a comprehensive eight-wicket victory. It was a dominant display from Cuckfield, combining disciplined bowling, outstanding fielding and explosive batting to record an impressive win on the road.

Cuckfield 4th XI Vs Crawley Super Kings 1st XI

Cuckfield's 4th XI were made to rue some costly extras and a stunning Crawley lower-order blitz as they fell 19 runs short in a high-scoring 40-over contest.

Cuckfield skipper Paul Meader won the toss and elected to field, but Crawley's batters made them work hard for every wicket. The openers gave their side a brisk start before Revilino Taites produced a sharp run out to remove Azam Mohamathu for 28, and Sam Duffield had Manimalan Chithiravel caught by Stuart Plant for 8. Ahamed Baseer Jafeer steadied the innings with a composed 35, and though Matthew Power was making inroads — finishing with an impressive 3 for 58 — Crawley always had runs on the board.

The middle order kept the scoreboard ticking, with Mohamed Sajid contributing 21 and Franklin Guoonghe a quickfire 23 off 14. But it was the back end of the Crawley innings that proved decisive. Prakash Rajendran provided the anchor, making 43 off 42 balls, before being brilliantly removed by the combination of Paul Meader and Stuart Plant. Plant covered an enormous amount of ground to take the catch just above the ground — a stunning effort that drew applause even from the Crawley players sitting on the boundary, and an early contender for catch of the season. Mithran Villukannu then launched an assault of 35 off just 27, including four sixes, before Fayaz Eliyaz crunched a brutal 39 off 22 deliveries to push Crawley to 258 all out — a total that would prove just beyond Cuckfield's reach. Twelve byes added further frustration for the fielding side.

Chasing 259, Cuckfield made an encouraging start. Glenn Smith set the tone with 23 off 21 balls before falling to Khizar Mahmood, who struck twice early to put Crawley on top. But James Buckeridge refused to be rattled, playing the innings of the day with a masterful 82 off 98 balls. He found an ideal partner in Jude Hammond, the pair putting on 97 for the fourth wicket to take Cuckfield from 104/3 to within touching distance at 201/4. Hammond's 51 off 57 was a mature, measured knock that kept the chase alive deep into the innings.

When both Buckeridge and Hammond fell in quick succession, the equation shifted in Crawley's favour. Sam Duffield gave the lower order a glimmer of hope with a feisty 21 off 13, but Ahamed Baseer Jafeer returned to take three wickets and wrap up the tail, leaving Cuckfield on 239/7 at the close — a competitive total, but 19 runs short on the day.

Crawley's greater firepower in the lower order proved the difference, though Cuckfield will take plenty of heart from a spirited team performance. Buckeridge's innings in particular was one to remember, and Plant's stunning catch will live long in the memory regardless of the result.