Broadstairs Cricket Club

 
 

2nd XI Bexleyheath CC v Broadstairs CC 2nd June 2018

Broadstairs 2s beat Blackheath 2’s this weekend to get their second successive win.

 

Losing the toss, Broadstairs were asked to bat on a slightly damp and green wicket. Lewis Hewitt (8) and George Kidd (14) opening the batting on the back of their half centuries last week. Lewis started as he finished last week, hitting consecutive boundaries, the first lofted over cover and the second all along the ground through extra cover, but two balls later attempting another lusty blow, the ball held up and Lewis was through his shot too early, off stump being pegged back.

 

Archie Ralph Harding in at 3 was dismissed first ball caught behind. It looked like a good toss to win. Nathan Fox (12) joined George with the score on 11-2. With the wicket and conditions perfect for swing bowling, the 2 youngsters hung in there, playing and missing but not getting frustrated. They made good use of the odd bad ball and moved the score onto 46 when George was adjudged LBW. Harry Carter (71) then joined Fox and as we’ve seen a couple of times already this season, Carter doesn’t hold back. He was able to find the boundaries easier and help push the run rate along, his third, fourth and fifth scoring shots being 4,6,4. The 6 being a powerful flick of the wrists straight back over the bowlers head! It was then Fox who was adjudged LBW and Broadstairs were 67-4 at the half way stage.

 

James Bond’s last innings on this ground was 97* last season and he continued with some early boundaries. Bond (46) was the perfect partner for Carter, talking to him constantly, encouraging each other and with both able to hit the big shots the scoreboard kept ticking over. They frustrated the Blackheath bowlers, making them try something different and cashing in with boundaries and plenty of singles. Carter gave 2 catching opportunities but Blackheath failed to take them and they paid the price. He was eventually out in the 46th over having made an excellent 71 and the stand with James being 112 and Broadstairs were sitting on 180. Blackheath have scored 200 most weeks so the tail did their best to get above this total. Andy Marshall (2) was run out, Tom Marshall (1) LBW but Oli Frewin stepped up and made an excellent 21* including a 6 back over the bowlers head. Bradley Ellison finished 3* and BCC had set Blackheath 209 to win.

 

Broadstairs started well, Archie and Brad sharing the new ball. Both were moving the ball around and unsettling the batsmen, it was Ellison who struck first in his fifth over, getting one to jump slightly at Olufawo who gloved through to Andy Marshall at first slip. 29-1 became 37-3 when Archie clean bowled the dangerous Barker and then Brad swung one back through the left handers gate and pegged middle stump back. Archie’s first spell finished (6-0-26-1) and Carter was brought into the action.

 

Broadstairs were hoping his extra pace would hurry the batsmen, but he couldn’t get a breakthrough until his sixth over, bowling Richley, Blackheath were 69-4. Carter finishing his first spell (6-1-20-1), Bradley Ellison was unable to get his third wicket and finished his spell (10-4-16-2).

 

The spinners were on, Oli Frewin and Ashley Ellison. Oli picking up his 11th wicket of the season, bowling Lyons (77-4) just before drinks. Both spinners bowled well but boundaries seemed a bit too easy for the batting side, 2 poor midfields turning 1’s into 4’s and BCC had let the game slip slightly. Ellison was unlucky not to have got Clarkson out just after his 50, a nick being held by Tom Marshall but the batsman oblivious to the woody noise stood his ground.

 

George Kidd replaced Oli and in his third over Clarkson ran down the track, misread the spin and Tom Marshall did the honours whipping the bails off. 164-6 after 40 overs and BCC needed wickets. Carter and Archie were brought back into the attack to finish their spells. Both bowled better than their first spell, Archie taking an excellent return catch with his first ball of his second spell (179-7). Harry was unlucky in his four remaining overs, beating the edge and missing the stumps by inches, his remaining 4 overs conceding just 9 runs (10-1-29-1).

 

Oli Frewin back into the attack and into action straight away, bowling McCann, Archie then inducing and rash shot from the number 10, Andy Marshall calling for the sky high catch and taking it well. With 2 overs remaining Blackheath required a run a ball. Oli found the bit of magic required and bowled Montgomery and finish with figures of 3-43 from 8.2 overs. Archie 9-0-37-3, Ashley 7-1-32-0, George 4-0-34-1.

 

It was an excellent game, played in good spirits and with some great little individual performances, however this weeks MoM has to be Harry Carter for his 71 and 1-29. But special mentions to James Bond for his 46 and important stand with Harry, Oli Frewin for his 21* and 3-43.

 

This win means we are top of Division 2, although only 12 points ahead of second from bottom Gore Court. We welcome Orpington next week, they maybe bottom of the table but they can’t be underestimated. Our hunt for promotion goes on.