By Jackson Russell
Broadford made quick work of its run chase against Kilmore on Saturday but teetered on the edge, sealing a one-wicket win in 45 overs.
Chasing 170, Broadford met a few hiccups early in its innings, quickly falling to 3/33 with Kilmore’s Josh Buttler involved in all three wickets, taking two and catching the third.
Broadford was able to get the game back under control thanks to a dynamic 43-run partnership between Liam Collier (23) and Evan Mills (39), which included Collier putting two balls over the fence before he was bowled by Ash Lovick.
Mills also fell victim to Lovick, getting bowled to have Broadford 6/101.
Captain-coach Greg Hobba and Shaun O’Neill combined for a 32-run seventh-wicket partnership before O’Neill became Lovick’s fourth and final scalp for the day with Broadford 7/133.
Jeremy Bradshaw was key down the stretch for Broadford, making 27 not out, including a 27-run partnership with Hobba.
He nearly ran out of batting partners but Bradshaw and Jack Connell were able to hold on to reach 9/171 from 45 overs.
The win moves Broadford up to second on the Seymour District Cricket Association A Grade ladder, half a game ahead of Tallarook after Tallarook’s loss to Yea.
Hobba said the win put Broadford in a good position heading into its clash with Tallarook next weekend.
“We just have to keep doing what we have been, continue to win and hopefully finish in the top two at season’s end,” he said.
“Kilmore were pretty strong and kept us very honest.
“It went down to the wire. We were seven down with 10 to get, then lost one. Jeremy hit a couple fours and got us over the line.
“Liam and Evan’s partnership was excellent. The back half proved to be key for us to grind out another 70 for us to get over the line.
“While we were scoring, there were no problems with the run rate, we were losing wickets as well, which is something we really have to look at and stress to the boys that it’s vital to build partnerships.”
Australia Day break
The SDCA will take a break over the Australia Day weekend before Tallarook hosts Broadford and Kilmore hosts Eastern Hill on Saturday, February 1.
Yea takes top spot
After bowling out Tallarook for just 75 on day one, Yea secured a first innings win but couldn’t get the outright victory.
Yea had already won the first innings after making 7/82 from 36 overs at stumps on day one but were quickly back out in the field after getting bowled out 89 from 43.4 overs.
Tallarook was able to make 2/63 from 25.3 overs in its second innings with Mitch Itter unbeaten on 29 and Jac Smith-Williams making 27 before stumps was called.
It didn’t take long for Eastern Hill to take first innings honours in its derby against Seymour after ending day one at 1/54.
Three wickets fell early as Eastern Hill chased 72 runs but it wasn’t enough to stop what was expected to be a sure thing.
Eastern Hill continued its innings, getting bowled out for 147 from 63.4 overs.
Seymour was able to make 4/78 from 31 overs before stumps.
Seymour hosts Yea beginning February 1.
