Broadstairs 1st XI
Broadstairs’ bid for promotion to division one took another blow on Saturday after suffering a second defeat in as many weeks this time away to Gravesend.
The team arrived to find a flat pitch with a fast outfield, a batting pitch they have seldom come across this year, and upon winning the toss they decided to field first in the hope that they could restrict the opposition to a low total. The decision seemed somewhat vindicated at drinks as the home side were restricted to 91-4, with the visitors hoping that a few more wickets could see them chasing a score under 200.
However, a fantastic display of power hitting from Gravesend’s overseas Aaron Johnson put pay to that, barely giving a chance in his score of 149* off just 103 balls taking the home side up to a daunting total of 276-6. In reply Broadstairs lost early wickets and were in danger of being unable to post any real total at all, but at 33-3 overseas Swaroop Dasani and Jack Wheeler came together and provided a counter-attack, scoring 20 and 47 respectively.
However, they both fell foul to two sharp caught and bowled efforts from spinner Sidhu, and despite some contributions from Scott Narraway (43*) and Chris Kidd (25) Broadstairs never really looked close and ended up all out for 189.
The Seasiders travel to Gore Court next week and then host Folkestone on the last game of the season, and will have to win both as well as relying on other results going their way if they are the achieve their goal of promotion.
Broadstairs 2nd XI
This week Broadstairs welcomed second place Gravesend in the hope of exacting revenge after the 1 wicket defeat in the first fixture.
Broadstairs lost the toss and were put in to bat, Adam Izzard and Brian Simpson opening up, Izzard took the attack to the bowlers. Simpson fell for 9 and Luke Palmer joined Izzard, soon after Izzard fell for 31 and after 20 overs Broadstairs were 63-2.
James Bond fell for 10 bringing in Archie Ralph-Harding, the youngster batted with confidence beyond his years and looks to be enjoying men’s cricket. With the score on 94, Palmer was adjudged LBW for 33. Ralph-Harding was caught for 17 and Broadstairs were 130-5 after 37 overs.
Captain Andy Marshall and Callum McCormick batted superbly for the next 9 overs, the Zimbabwean hitting some amazing shots to the boundary and Marshall also clearing the boundary for a maximum!. McCormick fell for 30 and Bradley Ellison joined Marshall. Ellison managed to smash 1 over for 15 before finally being caught in the last over for a quick 23 and Marshall finished the over being run out but earning a well-made 50.
Broadstairs were more than happy with a total of 213 from their 50 overs.
Once again Bradley Ellison and Luke Palmer shared the new ball and once again both bowled well, Gravesend were getting a lot of luck, edges not carrying, mishits landing in no mans land. But Palmer made the breakthrough, nicely taken by Tom Marshall, Ellison then removed Hinks who was looking dangerous, caught by McCormick and after 20 overs the score was 54 for 2.
Palmer then hit the stumps with a throw from cover, running out the number 3 batsman. Marshall then took a sharp catch at gully off Ellison and Gravesend were 4 down for 91 with 19 overs remaining.
Ralph Harding and Ashley Ellison were then brought into the attack, and it was Ellison who picked up 2 wickets to leave Gravesend staring down the barrel. However Singh and Klair had other ideas and took on Ellison and George Kidd and it paid off, they were finding boundaries with ease as well as having some luck and after 43 overs the score was 189 for 6.
Palmer was brought back into the attack and picked up the wicket of Singh for 48 but the damage had been done, Klair finished the innings unbeaten on 48 and Gravesend won with 2 overs to spare.
It was tough for the Broadstairs team to take especially as Singh and Klair had produced their top scores of the season but a good learning experience for the young players coming through the ranks.
Broadstairs welcome Gore Court next week in their final home game of the season.
Reports Elliot Fox and Bradley Ellison