Broadstairs Cricket Club
Broadstairs Cricket Club
Broadstairs Second XI started their league campaign away to newly promoted Sidcup.
Andy Marshall won the toss and chose to bowl, the Sidcup captain licking his lips seeing the young side that Broadstairs had turned up with. As usual, evergreen swing bowler Bradley Ellison took the new ball with Archie Ralph-Harding taking the opposite end, both bowlers bowled well but were unable to make the breakthrough, Archie was replaced after 6 decent overs for 19 and the new recruit Harry Carter brought some variation with his left arm pace. His hurried the Sidcup batsmen and Carter made the breakthrough in his third over, caught by Tom Marshall behind the sticks.
Ellison finished his 10 over spell wicketless but conceded just 21 runs, Sidcup were 49-1 from 20 overs. Nathan Fox was into the attack but seemed to struggle with the uphill run up. His 5 overs going for 21 runs, Marshall then turned to Ashley Ellison and George Kidd to try and slow the run rate, after 30 overs Sidcup had moved onto 95. Ashley struck with his third delivery, caught in the deep by Callum McCormick. George Kidd struggled to find his rhythm but surprised the batsmen often enough with his googly. The Sidcup number 4 really put his foot down and scored a quick 31 before Kidd tried the googly again and managing to find the top of off stump. Kidd finishing with 1-59 from 9 overs, Carter was brought back into the attack to bowl his last 4 overs, his first spell only conceding 10 runs.
Sidcup’s opening batsman had held the innings together whilst the rest of the team batted around him, but with Carter bowling tightly they had no option but to go after Ellison, 3 wickets coming in his eighth over, 2 caught by Carter in the deep and 1 stumping from Tom Marshall even though it came from a wide delivery.
Carters last 4 overs went for 23, a fantastic effort by the new boy but it was Ashley Ellison who stole the show with the ball, claiming his second 5 wicket haul in as many weeks, although this one was more impressive than last weeks effort against the farmers! Ellison finished with 5-55 from his 10 overs and Sidcup had set a target of 220.
After a decent tea, Brian Simpson and Nathan Fox walked out to bat, cheered on by the rugby club on their end of season drinkathon, young Fox used the pace of the ball to accumulate his runs mixed with some sumptuous cover drives and Simpson also found a couple of boundaries until the 6th over when he tried one shot too many and was bowled by Dark for 10. McCormick joined Fox but was adjudged LBW for 2. This brought Archie Ralph-Harding to the crease and at 38-2 Broadstairs seemed to be in a bit of trouble. The 2 youngsters batted with mature heads, Sidcup underestimating just how good these 2 were and before they knew it Broadstairs were 79-2 from 17 and well up with the run rate.
In the 20th over Fox was given out caught behind for 38. Archie carried on with the lusty blows and joined by James Bond who licked his lips at the bowling attack, his first four scoring shots being boundaries and at the half way mark Broadstairs were 124-3. Archie fell for 44, finding mid off and Harry Carter joined Bond. With 20 overs to go Broadstairs required 89 to win.
Sidcup couldn’t find a way to get Carter or Bond out, both were finding boundaries with ease and Bond brought up his first fifty of the season, Carter was impressive, one of his boundaries landing on the pavilion roof, Sidcup now realised they were in trouble and turned to their opening bowler. Bond fell in the 42nd over for a well made 60 but he’d helped his team get to 199.
A late couple of wickets (Carter 34 and Kidd 3) didn’t stop Broadstairs reaching their target in the 47th over. Andy (0*) and Tom Marshall (11*) getting us over the line and bringing home the 18 points for the victory. MOTM was James Bond for his match winning 60.
Next week Broadstairs welcome Bickley Park, come along, have a beer and watch some cricket at Park Avenue.
