EP rue squandering a winning position against Broadwater

Laker described losing what he saw a vital coin toss a hindrance for his side as they were stuck in by their opponents in the West Sussex Invitation League Division 1 clash.

Despite this, Chris Williams and Tim Miles opened the batting with aplomb and posted an opening stand of 79. Williams made 37, while Miles hit 45, including nine fours.

Gary Weedon added 42 down the order but Tom Reeves, with 22, and Tom Chamberlain, with 23 not out, were the only other batsman to make double figures.

Bob Reynolds led Broadwater’s bowling with 4-62, while Steve Waller claimed 3-79 as EP finished on 207-9 from their 49 overs.

Laker said: “The vital coin toss was won by Broadwater and they elected to field in very bowler-friendly conditions.

“Although we posted 207, our middle order performed well below par. Tim Miles and Chris Williams set a good platform on which to build, but this was not capitalised on. Only Gary Weedon and Tom Chamberlain made notable contributions.

“Having made the start we did, I had hoped to have had the option of declaring early, and therefore giving us more overs and time to bowl Broadwater out.”

But having not built on their start, EP gave Broadwater 45 overs to knock off the total but they finished 29 runs short, with two wickets remaining, and both sides had to settle for the draw.

EP’s attack of Mark Coskin and Jack Sunderland quickly reduced Broadwater to 66-4.

A vital fifth-wicket stand of 98 between brothers Nigel Waller (63) and Steve Waller (53) rescued Broadwater’s innings, and lifted them to 164-5 when Steve was caught by Laker off Jack Sunderland.

Graham fell four runs later – the first of Tom Chamberlain’s three quick wickets – but Broadwater finished on 178-8.

Sunderland finished with 3-29, Chamberlain took 3-51 and Coskin claimed 2-46.

Laker added: “It was another disappointing day, really. I sound like a broken record saying we should have won.

“I don’t think I have been in so many winning situations in which it has failed to happen.”

On his side’s bowling, he added: “Jack Sunderland was excellent and was well supported by Tom Chamberlain and Mark Coskin.

“Broadwater managed one excellent partnership which, in turn, consumed enough overs to leave us two wickets shy of victory.”