BROADSTONE III 172-9 (7pts) lost to CHARLTON DOWN 175-6 (19pts) by 4 wkts

CHARLTON Down wrapped up their County Division Five title-winning season with a closely fought four-wicket home victory over Broadstone Thirds.

Jae Miller, who hit 10 fours and a six in an unbeaten 96 for the hosts, struck a delightful drive to the mid-off boundary to clinch the win with 11 balls remaining.

Broadstone chose to bat after winning the toss but Matt and Dan Stevens bowled with impeccable control and variation, conceding only 24 runs from 12 overs.

The latter gave away just nine runs from his first six-over spell and picked up the wicket of Ben Seymor with a smart catch behind by Rob Deadman.

Visiting captain Tim Lanham (74no) and Steve Froud (41) batted patiently and put together a partnership of 93 before a double bowling change brought immediate results.

Rich Fagence (2-29) had Froud caught by Matt Stevens at deep square leg and the same combination removed Steve Newcombe for four.

James Pretty (1-22) bowled Simon Wilbur for a duck to leave Broadstone struggling on 115-4.

John Fletcher (27) and Lanham upped the run rate and added a rapid 50 to take the total to 164-4 with five overs remaining.

Home skipper Pete Tucker (2-4) stemmed the flow of runs by bowling Fletcher and then Matt Stevens picked up his third catch of the day off Tucker, while a run out in the same over left the score on 169-7.

Kim Park bowled Mark Wigmore for two and Broadstone ended on 172-8.

The Charlton Down innings started brightly with Jack Eveleigh (17) timing the ball well until he was caught behind off Fletcher (3-40).

The score was soon 40-2 when Roger Frapwell was bowled by Fletcher.

A 50-run partnership between the in-form Matt Stevens (28) and Miller then took the score to 95-3.

A mixture of patient batting, good shots and well judged running between the wickets was the key to Stevens’ innings. He was eventually out with the score on 95-3.

Park (22) joined Miller and the two added 40 very quick runs but the returning Ben Bassinger (3-32) struck three times in two overs to leave Charlton Down on 146-6 and requiring 26 from the last five overs.

Miller was joined by James Pretty and with some intelligent running and explosive hitting by the former, Charlton Down got over the winning line with a few balls to spare.

Tucker said: “To complete a third consecutive promotion is an incredible feat by any club and to win the league again was the icing on the cake.

“Each year the young players are growing in confidence and learning valuable cricketing skills which will serve them well in the future.

“After playing on grass for the first season our thanks go to Ian Springer and Rich Fagence for the hours of toil they have carried out on the square.

“A massive thank you goes to the unsung heroes of Yvette Roles and Sue Stevens who have hardly missed a weekend scoring, and Chris Gibbons for his umpiring.

“The players, supporters and support of the parents has been incredible, making teas and driving to and from games.”

Charlton Down finished the season 20 points clear of runners-up Puddletown, who beat Cerne Valley by five wickets at the weekend.