Broadstairs CC were unable to extend their recent run of victories as they suffered a 5-wicket defeat away to Whitstable.
In a match that was almost a replica of the home fixture earlier in the season, the difference between the two evenly-matched sides was a sublime unbeaten century for Whitstable teenager Harry Fulton.
The day didn’t start well for the visitors who, despite winning the toss and electing to bat, lost a series of early wickets and found themselves struggling at 43-3 in the 12th over. Matthew Frewin (28) and George Kidd (11) dug-in to reset the innings and a 112 partnership between Jake Benfield (66) and skipper Matt Hardy (50*) brought the score close to 200.
As has been the case on a number of occasions this season, the tail were unable to add many more to the total before being bowled out and Broadstairs finished on 212. This was always going to be a difficult score to defend on a ground with notoriously short boundaries.
The second innings started well enough for Broadstairs with Benfield (2-29) claiming two early wickets followed by scalps for Chris Kidd (1-31) and George Kidd. When George Kidd 2-58) dismissed Gould just after the halfway mark and with the score at 111-5, it was looking like it could be a close finish.
However, Fulton who finished on 115 showed no signs of vulnerability and ably supported by Goss, saw the hosts home with nearly 5 overs to spare.
The defeat puts Broadstairs back to 6th spot in the table which is probably a fair reflection of how the season has gone so far. With still 5 matches to play, they will be hoping to at least retain (if not improve upon) this position in the table when the season comes to an end.
They have an opportunity to make amends nest week when they host Leeds and Broomfield who lie a position below them in the table.