2nd XI Broadstairs CC v Dartford CC
Broadstairs 2nd XI retained their 3rd place spot in Division 1 with a comprehensive victory at home to Dartford. The match demonstrated the Seasiders’ strength in depth with 5 bowlers chipping-in with wickets, all 8 catching chances being taken and an exhibition in power batting from centurion Lewis Hewitt.
After winning the toss and inviting Dartford to bat in damp conditions following the overnight storm, the scoring rate was kept in check from the outset by bowlers Harry Carter (1-38) and Callum McCormick (2-22), the only real disappointment being the extras gifted to the opposition through a series of wides. Some sharp slip fielding by James Bond and Joshua Izzard saw off Saini and Fitzgerald off the bowling of McCormick and Carter respectively.
Another key catch by Nathan Fox at cover point off the bowling of McCormick removed the impressive Walker and at this stage, with the visitors on 55-3 in the 19th over, the back of the Dartford batting attack was broken. It was down to Ashley Ellison (2-32), Oli Frewin (2-11) and Andy Marshall (2-6) to work through the middle order and tail with Lewis Hewitt and Harry Carter taking 2 catches apiece and Tom Marshall with the other catch. As a foretaste for what was to come in the second innings, Hewitt also completed a run out on a day when he was rarely out of the action.
The Dartford innings finished on 129 in the 48thover with 30 runs resulting from wides- something Broadstairs will need to improve upon if they are to take their challenge for promotion through to the end of the season.
The Broadstairs reply can be summed-up in two words – Lewis Hewitt. Of the 130 runs scored to achieve victory in under 20 overs, Hewitt scored an unbeaten 111. This was the week when his characteristic uncompromising ‘see-ball, hit-ball’ approach to opening the batting paid off. Fellow batsmen Tom Marshall, Nathan Fox and Joshua Izzard could only look on and feed Hewitt the strike as he hit 18 fours and a six in a remarkable display of boundary hitting.
Next match, the 2nd XI are away to Gravesend and they will be hoping to keep the pressure on league leaders Beckenham and Bromley.
1st XI St Lawrence and Highland Court CC v Broadstairs CC
Broadstairs travelled to Bridge to take on St Lawrence & Highland Court.
After the torrential downpours throughout Kent in the early hours of Saturday morning, the rain had managed to get under the covers and soaked most of the wicket. A 30 minute delay was decided by the umpires and the toss became vital.
Unfortunately the home team won the toss and elected to bowl. The first over started well, Alex hitting 2 boundaries off the Kent second XI bowler Watson, but after 3 overs both Alex (8) and Elliot (0) were out and we were 8-2.
Jamie Dewell and Jayojit went about rebuilding, batting was difficult, the 2 medium pacers were making the most of the damp wicket. JJ was caught for 22 and Jamie compiled a well made 53 from 69 deliveries before being bowled by the leg spin of Nash.
This then triggered a collapse that we are all too familiar with this season, Matt Hardy was adjudge LBW for 8, Chris Flint bowled for 10, Chris Kidd bowled for 5 after chopping onto his stumps, Alfie bowled (1), Callum Morgan (2) caught at cover and when Brad hit to mid off for 2, the leg spinner had his fifth wicket and we were all out for 135 in the 39th over.
The wicket had got slightly better, we had to make use of the new ball. Brad did just that, finding the glove of Hammond in his first over and then in his second, removing the overseas and opener caught behind. At 3-3 our tails were up, Skipper Kidd was bowling well the other end and had a close shout for LBW turned down.
A little partnership from the Saints saw them to 47, when Jamie got the breakthrough. He went on to claim 3 further wickets in a brilliant spell of 4-29 from his 10 overs. Callum Morgan picked up a wicket as well and when St Lawrence were 127-8 we had a slim chance.
It was down to Elliot and Brad but neither could find the right delivery and we lost in the 45th over.
A difficult one to take but ultimately we should have batted the full 50 overs and we may well have won.