Broadstairs three game winning streak was ended by Old Wilsonians on Saturday.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, Broadstairs got off to a flyer thanks to a quick destructive 30 from Lewis Hewitt. His thunderous cover and extra cover drives finding the boundary on a few occasions, the slow outfield turning some fours into twos and threes. Losing their first wicket in the fourth over, Brian Simpson (12) joined Lewis and found a couple of boundaries until he was brilliantly caught and bowled by old nemesis Siva Ranjan. Simmo smashed the ball back, Siva sticking out one hand nonchalantly and the ball just stuck.
29-2 in the eighth over became 62-3 in the twelfth when Lewis was bowled by Siva claiming his third victim. A decent stand between Lewis and Scott Narraway (27) had been broken and with Nathan Fox being cleaned up first ball after an inside edge, Broadstairs were to rely on Scott and James Bond (17) to consolidate.
Once the seamers were taken off the spinners slowed the run rate right down. A stand of 28 from 10 overs proved just how difficult it was! Scott was next to go, a feather of a nick down the legside taken by the keeper. Broadstairs unfortunate luck continued when Andy Marshall (3) was run out, it appeared that the fielder had broken the stumps without the ball. The decision was made and Andy had to walk and at 91-5 in the 22nd over Broadstairs were in trouble.
Josh Marshall (2) was caught at mid on in the 28th over, James Bond bowled around his legs in the 35th with the score at 114 again the luck just wasn’t with us. Oli Frewin (14) and Bradley Ellison (15) managed to get the first batting point and were edging toward 150 when Oli was bowled with Brad being caught and bowled in the next over and we were 134 all out in the 44th over.
Brad (9-1-34-0) and Olly (10-2-40-1) then shared the new ball, Brad was unable to find his line and it was Oli who made the breakthrough in his second over, bowling the dangerous Siva. But Broadstairs had to wait for the second wicket, in the meantime the amount of times the ball was just out of reach of the fielder, edges dropping short or wide of slip, the ball just missing the stumps and 2 or 3 drop catches made it an extremely frustrating afternoon!
Finally in the 19th over, Nathan Fox (6-1-19-1) in his first over getting the captain out but with the score on 62 we had some work to do. Unfortunately for us the next wicket came with the score on 134, Ashley Ellison (8-1-13-1) finally getting the opening bat out after he had frustrated us for 35 overs! A diving one handed full length catch by the man they call “The Walrus” and it was a superb catch with a celebration to match.
A disappointing days cricket were we ultimately didn’t get enough runs, but the Old Wills hospitality as always was top notch and beers were enjoyed. This weeks Man of the match was tough, no outstanding candidates but it goes to Ashley Ellison for his spell of bowling, brilliant catch and not out. Well done the Walrus!
We travel to Gore Court next week in the hope of returning to winning ways, we are still only 4 points from the top.