MARTINSTOWN 134 (3pts) lost to BROADSTONE 136-2 (20pts) by eight wickets

MARTINSTOWN skipper Ed Nichols admitted “soft wickets” given away by his side were a big factor in their comprehensive defeat at home to Broadstone.

Having won the toss and batted first in what appeared to be good conditions to score runs at Lower Ashton Farm, the home side limped to towards what proved to be an uncompetitive total of 134 all out from just 36.2 overs.

After Nichols (5) and fellow opener Sean Williams (13) departed, Sam Kershaw (24), Fraser Hill (22) and Teddy Andrews (27) all got starts before being unable to kick on and anchor the innings for the home team.

And that was as good as it got for Martinstown, as Broadstone ripped through their lower order, claiming the final six wickets for just 33 runs.

Matt Spraggs did most of the damage for the visitors, recording an impressive 4-20 from his seven overs bowled.

Nichols told Echosport: “We won the toss and chose to bat on what was a friendly track. There was a little bit in it but no more than usual.

“We lost two early wickets to LBWs, which can happen, but the disappointing thing is that people have got set on 20-odd and then have given it away.

“Going into drinks we were around 100-3, which is a good base to go on from. We kind of used our attacking middle order to try and put a total on, but we gave soft wickets away.

“Guys who played nice shots got in and got out.

“It’s personal accountability really. Batsmen know they are in the team to score 60s, 70s and 80s – not 20s. I have been as bad as anyone this season.

“It’s a bit of a recurring theme, which is disappointing when we know how hard our bowlers have to work on that surface.”

And as much as the hosts’ attack toiled in reply, Broadstone made light work of their target for victory, knocking off the required runs in just 33.2 overs, with just two men back in the shed.

Luke Carter top-scored for the away side with an unbeaten 62, while spinner Ryan Chase was the pick of the Martinstown bowlers with 1-17 from 10 overs bowled.

Asked about Broadstone, Nichols replied: “I think they are a good team, I think they were missing a few players and they still did a good job on us.”