Broadwater closing in on the league title

James Iago appeals for a wicket during Broadwaters win at home to Eastergate PICTURE BY STEPHEN GOODGER

After Saturday’s five-wicket win at home to Eastergate, Broadwater need just 16 points from their final two games to win the league and could be celebrating at Littlehampton on Saturday.

However, Waller said: “We’ve still got 16 points to get and although it doesn’t sound that many, we’ve still got to put in two good performances.

“We won’t be taking anything for granted and know we still have a lot of work to do.”

After falling to 64-5 chasing 168 to win, an unbroken 103-run between James Iago (60 not out) and Paul O’Sullivan (49 not out) took Broadwater to victory on Saturday.

Eastergate had lost just once in the league heading into the match but were reduced to 82-8 until Tom Stannard and Jamie Murphy shared a 64-run stand for the ninth wicket.

Murphy was out lbw to James Salisbury, one of his three victims, before Stannard fell for 52, made from just 42 balls, following a 21-run last wicket stand with Rejo Raju (five not out).

Graham Merritt-Blann led the way with the ball and claimed 5-33 from 12 overs, Salisbury finished with 3-40, while Iago and Bob Reynolds also took a wicket each.

Graham Waller was first to fall in Broadwater’s reply for 11, before Corey Cogan (eight), Gareth Challen (eight) and Chris Green (nought) all fell with the score on 29.

Broadwater were then reduced to 64-5 when Merritt-Blann was bowled by Raju for 17. However, Iago struck 60 not out, with ten fours and one six, and O’Sullivan hit an unbeaten 49, with ten fours from 59 deliveries, as Broadwater remain on course to lift the title.

Broadwater now sit 45 points clear of second-placed Ram with just two games remaining.

Waller said: “It was a funny game, with two big partnerships – one in each innings.

“They batted sensibly after we got them 80-odd for eight and they then got us 64-5 but James and Sully both batted superbly and didn’t give a chance to see us home.”

Broadwater could clinch the title away to fourth-placed Littlehampton on Saturday.

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