1st XI Broadstairs CC v Upchurch CC
Broadstairs were soundly beaten at home to fellow strugglers Upchurch in a match that highlighted the frailties have been present throughout the season amongst the 1st XI.
Winning the toss and electing to bat first on a glorious afternoon, the innings got off to an encouraging start, ‘Stairs reaching 42-1 in the 14th over. The dismissal of Jack Wheeler for 23 however signalled the start of an all-too-familiar batting collapse and within 7 overs, the hosts found themselves 70-6, Jayojit Basu (25) being the latest to depart. A 47-run 7th wicket partnership between Chris Flint (16) and Andy Marshall (38) brought some respectability to the score but when the last wicket fell in the 44th over (appropriately enough to Hussein who finished with figured of 5-34), the total of 138 was always going to be a difficult one to defend.
Despite a couple of early wickets in the opening 7 overs, both claimed by the ever-economical Bradley Ellison (10-5-10-2), the innings had an inevitability about it for all those watching on. The partnership of McLennan and Shrestha moved with glacial speed towards the target, picking up odd singles, capitalising on a series of fielding errors and rarely looking like adding to the wickets column. As the match drifted towards its predictable conclusion, the only uncertainty in the match was which over would the visitors reach the meagre target. Eventually, with the loss of two further wickets (1 each for Oli Frewin and Chris Flint), Upchurch cruised to victory with 8 overs to spare.
Although mathematically still not relegated, realistically Broadstairs will now be preparing for life in Division 2 next season. Their penultimate match this season is away to Tenterden.
2nd XI Whitstable CC v Broadstairs CC
Broadstairs 2XI penultimate match of the season was against Whitstable at ‘The Belmont’ in Whitstable. Whitstable winning the toss and opting to bat on a glorious sunny day.
M Rangin and C McCormick opening the bowling with Rangin making the breakthrough in his 2nd over, bowling Johnson for 0. (9 for 1) Rangin replaced by H Carter after 4 overs. Carter feeling particularly tender after a busy night out, with his first ball nearly breaking his own toe and running down to wide fine leg without the help of the batsman or keeper. Looked like it was going to be a long day of bowling for him.
We were wrong when he removed the middle stump of Gambrill later on in his 1st over. (34 for 2) Toffolo was next to go when McCormick trapped him in front LBW. (55 for 3) McCormick finishing with figures of 33 for 1 off 10. A Ellison taking over from Carter and immediately started creating chances. Some poor fielding and a couple of chances made the blood boil for Ellison, however he held it together and finished with figures of 34 off his 10 overs. A tidy spell. Whitstable continued to make some progress with the Butterworth and Denly putting on 69 before Denly chipped one to cover and was caught by C Morgan off the bowling of F Yasir. Farj finishing with figures of 1 for 47 off 8.
Bennett replaced Denly and together with Butterworth, put on a partnership of 95 before Butterworth was bowled by the returning Rangin. A good innings of 101 for Butterworth. Bratley was next to go caught T Marshall off Rangin for 0. Rangin finishing with figures of 4 for 41 off 9 overs. Carter returning and picking up the wickets of Aldred, Priston and Maddison to finish with figures of 4 for 42 off 9.2 overs. Whitstable collapsing from 215 for 4 in the 45th over to 228 all out in the 49th. Broadstairs feeling confident that this was a target that they could chase down fairly easily.
C Morgan and N Fox opening the batting for Broadstairs with Morgan falling to the 3rd ball of the innings, bowled by Bennett. (0 for 1) J Marshall coming in at 3 and both J Marshall and Fox took the attack to the bowlers. A partnership of 99 before Marshall was stumped for 50. T Marshall at 4, opening his scoring account with 2 sixes over cow corner. A quickfire 26 for T Marshall before he was trapped in front LBW by Bennett. Fox quietly building his innings in the background and with M Rangin joining Fox, the 2 of them finished off the game for Broadstairs. Fox with another batting masterclass, ending on 104 not out ably supported by Rangin who finished with 38 not out.
Nathan Fox being our man of the match with his 4th century of the season.