WHILE the result didn’t quite go Broadford’s way, it was a memorable day for the club, who dressed up for the occasion for a special cause.
The club brought the style to mark Madi’s Day to kickstart the restart of the Gisborne District Cricket Association season, and while the club’s quest to avoid relegation hit a snag, the club put in an inspired performance to get as close as they did to one of the competition leaders.
Instead of rocking it is normal navy and red kit, the club took to the field in a special pink set, with the goal of helping Madi Ingham, wife of Broadford player James Ingham, who is going through the fight of her life.
Madi was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer late last year, and Broadford got on the front foot and immediately supported the cause with a fundraising event.
According to statistics, 58 people in Australia are diagnosed with breast cancer every day, and nine people die from the disease.
Local communities responded in huge numbers to help donate raffle items.
Highlights included a special pink bike from Wheel House Bikes, a gym membership courtesy of Mitchell Shire Leisure Services, cricket kits from LP Custom Cricket, and unique items such as a large handmade Buffalo Wall Art from Cool Weird Wonderful, a Carlton Football Club jumper donated by the Blues’ Harry McKay, an Essendon jumper donated by Harry’s twin brother, Ben and a handcrafted quilt donated by Barbara Black from the Woodend Quilting Club.
A large crowd would pour into Harley Hammond Reserve throughout the day, many in support of the Ingham family, while also enjoying a quality game of cricket.
On the field, the game was played with great respect.
Broadford won the toss and elected to bowl first, but it was Romsey who put the pressure on almost immediately, with Benjamin Way and Matthew Milne putting together a big partnership right off the bat.
Milne was doing much of the attacking, while Way was biding his time and playing shots where it was there to hit.
Romsey’s first wicket partnership was 156, but it was Riley Nolan who struck for Broadford, getting Way out to a shot straight to Dilsher Pal Singh.
Two more quick wickets followed, with Braden Hickey getting the wicket of Tim Dale, and Nolan getting Thomas Boyer, but Milne remained a constant.
In partnership with Chris Burkett, Milne scored a well-deserved century, finishing with 101 off 125 deliveries, while Burkett scored 27 to help Romsey set 216 for victory.
Nolan was Broadford’s best bowler, taking 2/30 off five overs.
While Broadford have had their struggles this season, it took to the chase with positivity, particularly through Nolan, who scored 40, and Hickey, who scored 33, helping the club get to 1/77.
There was a small middle order collapse, with Ingham, Jake Zerella, Sikanda Sharma and Singh all falling to leave Broadford at 7/128, but Ashley Wood had a good go at trying to close the gap.
His big hitting would see him score 40 off just 36 deliveries, but when he fell, the game was over, with Broadford all out with a brave 190.
Louis Moor took 3/32 off 6.4 overs, while Taylor Stevenson took 3/37.
While the result keeps Broadford anchored to the bottom of the ladder, they were big winners out of a memorable day which showed the community spirit remained very much intact.
