Sharp adds class to Nomads

Nomads win at home

Preston Nomads, winners of the Sussex Premier League title in the last two seasons, started the 2010 campaign in winning style with a convincing 60-run win at home to local rivals Brighton and Hove.

Joe Gatting made 42 and newcomer Tom Sharp, who moved from relegated Lewes Priory during the winter, made 34 not out for Nomads in a total of 209 all out as Chris Liddle took 3-40 and skipper Patrick Spencer 3-54 for Brighton and Hove.

Gatting kicks off with 42

The visitors were then dismissed for 149 with just 16 balls to spare with Spencer top scoring on 34 and Sharp taking 3-37 and Stephen Rigg 3-40 in a victory that was dedicated to club member Michael Nunn who died unexpectedly last week.

There were runs galore at Cuckfield and Eastbourne’s three Sussex players enjoyed a field day in a five wicket win.

Cuckfield decided to bat first and cracked their way to 300 for eight declared with 84 from Alex Edwards, 76 from Jason Oates and 57 not out from Chris Mole.

For the visitors Rageb Aga took 3-61 and new South African Jacob Nel took 3-59.

Rageb Aga strikes for Eastbourne © Getty Images

But Eastbourne chased down their target with a vengeance to make 303 for five as Ben Brown hit 105, Ollie Rayner 76 not out and Rageb Aga 58. The most successful Cuckfield bowler was Rodney Candfield with 2-40.

Newly promoted Bexhill put local rivals Hastings in to bat at the Polegrove and dismissed them for 152 of which Joe Lamb made 42 not out as Ian Ellis took 6-15 in 10 overs.

But the Hastings bowlers won the game for their side as Bexhill tumbled to 141 all out with John Morgan taking 4-27 and young leg-spinner Josh Poysden 3-48.

Top scorer for Bexhill was Tim Hambridge with 36 and Ian Ellis made 22 not out.

It was close at Three Bridges where Hisam Ul-Haq (78) and South African newcomer Chad Barrett (46) shared a sixth wicket stand of 110 to help their side to 222 for eight declared.

Visitors East Grinstead reached their target with 15 balls to spare at 223 for seven with young skipper Will Adkin making 66, his brother James Adkin made 38 and youngster Rob Willson 34. Chad Barrett took 4-70.

The remaining game saw newly promoted Chichester hold on for a dull draw at home to Horsham after putting their visitors in and seeing them declare at 246 for eight with 88 not out from Sam Attfield and 78 from Craig Gallagher. James Stedman took 3-37.

In reply Chichester laboured to 147 for five with John Edwards top scoring with 41 as Will Beer took 3-40.