Broadstairs Cricket Club
Broadstairs Cricket Club
Broadstairs 1st XI extended their unbeaten run this season with a win away to Orpington CC in a match that the visitors dominated from start to finish. Orpington won the toss and elected to bat but found themselves in trouble right from the start against the new-look new-ball bowling attack of Elliot Fox and Masoud Rangin. The two openers Smith and Roberston were dismissed within the first 4 overs by Rangin and Fox respectively and although Robinson and De Mel offered some resistance, they were unable to cope with the introduction of Jamie Dewell who worked his way through the middle order ending up with his season-best figures of 4-19 off 10 overs. By drinks, skipper Chris Kidd had joined the attack, claiming the wicket of Robinson in his second over and the home side were struggling at 97-7. A final rally by Harding was all the resistance that was offered by the Orpington tail-enders with Dewell, Kidd (3-15) and Swaroop Dasari (1-5) bringing the innings to a premature end in the 41st over with just 132 on the board. All this was achieved with one player missing after Alfie Huntley sustained a hand injury in the 1st over of the match, further underlining the excellence of Broadstairs’ bowling and fielding.
The top-order batsmen ensured there were no slip-ups and reached the target within 36 overs and with the loss of just the 2 wickets of Chris Flint (13) and George Kidd (12). Once again Fox (76*) provided the backbone to the innings with his 5th half-century of the season and it was he and Dasari (24*) who saw the batting side over the line.
The win strengthens Broadstairs position alongside Upchurch at the top of Division 2 with 27 points separating them and 3rd place. Next week the Seasiders host 4th place Old Wilsonians where they will be looking to maintain their winning streak and reinforce their bid for promotion
