Sunday 22nd July 2018
Broadstairs U15s completed an emphatic victory over Sussex champions St James Montefiore to progress to the last 16 of the ECB National Club Competition. Winning the toss and batting first in front of a sizeable and lively crowd at Park Avenue, Broadstairs got off to a shaky start with both Archie Ralph-Harding and Harry Carter removed for zero within the first 4 overs. When George Kidd joined Nathan Fox at the crease, it would be down to these two to steady the ship and build a defendable total. This they duly did with an exhibition of controlled run-scoring uner pressure; the pair put on 48 runs before Fox (38) was dismissed in the 12th over and the score on 64-3. A couple of quick run-outs led to the early departures of Tom Marshall (2) and Callum French (0) and the hosts were on the back foot again and the situation deepened further when Joe McCaffrey (3) was adjudged LBW. However, Kidd continued to bat with composure and when he retired having reached his 50, Reginold Baskaran (13) took up the reins with some expansive hitting, ably supported by Jack Cave (6) and Thomas Izzard (2). Izzard was bowled with the last ball of the match leaving Matthew Marson on 0* and the total at 125, probably 25 runs short of what Broadstairs might have hoped for at the start.
The Seasiders knew that if they were to defend this sub-par total, they would have to bowl economically and take early wickets. The opening partnership of Ralph-Harding and Fox did not disappoint with Ralph-Harding (3-8) being particuarly effective with the new ball. By the end of their combined 8 over spell, St James Montefiore found themselves at 30-4 and with a mountain to climb. The spin combination of McCaffrey and Kidd then took over and the required run rate started to climb. The introduction of Carter's pace led to 3 quick wickets and the innings was completed when McCaffrey took the final 2 wickets with successive balls. He finished with figures of 2-9 off 2.2 overs and Carter with figures of 3-9 off 3 overs, completing an impressive all-round team performance.
The team travel to Horsham for the London and South Regional Finals on Monday 30th July where they will meet Suffolk champions Copdock and OI CC for a place in the last 8 round which will take place later on the same day.
