Broadstairs Cricket Club
Broadstairs Cricket Club
The 2nd XI were narrowly beaten in an absorbing early season encounter against Bromley. Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, the opening bowling partnerhship of Josh Amos and Nathan Fox began well, restricting Hill and Kirath to a total of 27 in the first 8 overs. A long-range direct hit run-out in the 10th over by newcomer Matt Hardy saw off Hill and were it not for a series of dropped catches, the wickets tally could have been more by this stage. As it was, the bowling of Andy Marshall (10-0-32) and in particular Oli Frewin (10-4-33) continued to stifle the Bromley scoring and picked-off the wickets on a regular basis. With 2 further wickets in one over from Ben Fowler, followed by a sharp catch by Scott Narraway off Fox left Bromley reeling at 119-8. However, a 49-run 8th wicket stand between Kuppuswamynaldu and Farage put the visitors back in contention and by the time Amos (9-1-36) and Fox (9.3-2-33) had removed the tail, Bromley's total had reached 171 In damp conditions with a slow outfield, this was always going to be a tough chase. Special mention to Lee Hewitt who completed 2 stumpings and a caught-behind.
The Broadstairs reply got off to a stuttering start with Lewis Hewitt departing without scoring. This brought Lee Hewitt and Fox together and they fashioned a productive partnership through a combination of careful defence, energetic running and the occasional boundary, They were also presented with a few free hits following a series of no-balls which they only profited from once when Fox lifted the ball into Park Avenue for a 6 that surprised him as much as anyone else. When Hewitt (25) departed, caught at cover, this precipitated a series of dismissals - Fox (22), Hardy (5), Andy Marshall (0) and James Bond (3) - and only 30 runs were added for the next 4 wickets. With victory now looking an unlikely prospect for the hosts, Scott Narraway and Josh Marshall stepped-up to salvage some hope. Together they batted with composure and determination and brought the Seasiders to within 24 runs from victory. However, when Marshall (15) eventually succumbed, Narraway's dismissal followed shortly. adjudged LBW for 41 off the bowling of Farage who would finish the day with 6 wickets. Frewin, Fowler and Amos were unable to make-up the deficit and Broadstairs were all out in the 46th over, 17 runs short of the target.
Despite the defeat, with two close matches now completed, Broadstairs can look forward to next week's encounter against Dartford with some confidence that despite their promotion, they have the capability to compete in Division 1
