Broadstairs Cricket Club
Broadstairs Cricket Club
Broadstairs continued their winning streak with a 4 wicket victory over Orpington.
Winning the toss and electing to field on a very wet wicket, Bradley Ellison and Archie Ralph-Harding opened up, Archie getting the early breakthrough (12-1) caught by Lewis. Orpington were soon 30-2 when Archie got his second, the dangerous Sterling caught by the returning Oli Frewin.
Following this, Orpington consolidated as well as having a lot of luck. Ellison finishing his 10 over spell for just 24 runs but once again wicketless. Archie 2-25 from his 6 overs. The number 4 finally ran out of luck, caught by Andy off the bowling of Ashley (157-3), a run out from Callum quickly followed and when the opener gave his wicket up with a reverse sweep off George Kidd, picking out James at short fine leg.
All of a sudden Orpington were 158-5, after a short stand, Ash picked up his second and third wickets(3-44) and George his second (2-24) and Orpington finished 209-8 from their 50.
It seemed a decent total, none of us expected more than 150 on the wet track but it didn’t play as bad as we thought.
George and Lewis opened up, Lewis was straight into his hitting stride, 2 big sixes were his first 2 scoring shots. He was eventually bowled for 28 (2x6’s and 3x4’s) but he had given us a terrific start to the innings. Tom (6) was next but was caught when a delivery got big on him (54-2). Archie joined George and they pushed on to 78 when George (30) was also caught and when James was adjudged LBW just 10 runs later we needed something special!
Archie kept going, firstly with Natty (11) until he was caught behind (119-5) and then Andy (36*). It was an innings of great maturity, some splendid cover drives on a tricky wicket and plenty of singles to keep chipping away at the total. In fact it was Andy who resorted to hitting over midwicket and over cover on the odd occasion. Archie brought up his 50 in what was to be a match winning innings and match winning partnership with Andy
With the scores tied in the final over, the Orpington quick bowler came charging in, difficult to see from the side-lines with the early evening darkness closing in, Archie edged and was caught. The end of a superb innings and in the process took himself to 416 league runs this season.
Oli Frewin was on strike, with 5 balls and 1 run required. First ball, quick outside off stump, a play and a miss. Second ball, a yorker wide of off stump and missed. We were nervous on the side-lines, Andy walked up the wicket and uttered some encouragement to Oli “Just get something on it”!! Third ball, a play and a miss. Through to the keeper but a run wasn’t risked.
By now I couldn’t watch, I was waiting to hear a big appeal or a clatter into the stumps, but on his fourth delivery faced, Oli managed to get bat on ball and found the single required.
A fantastic game, one Orpington will feel they should have won and one we thought that we may have lost but we never gave up. A great start from Lewis forcing them to turn to spin early on, the good support from George and then the priceless innings from Archie assisted by a very tired and out of breath Andy. It was a brilliant victory.
MoM this week is Archie for the second week running, he will be sorely missed this week! As we face Old Wills who sit 1 point above us
Our win and St Lawrence losing means promotion is in our hands, 3 games remaining, if we win all 3 then we’re up! We also have a chance of top league wicket taker, the leader is currently on 29 wickets, Oli is on 27 and Ash 25
