Brondesbury skipper pays tribute to team-mate as promotion is secured

John Fosbraey celebrates a wicket for Brondesbury. (Image: Archant)

Brondesbury captain John Fosbraey paid tribute to one of the club’s longest-serving players after they defeated Harrow Town to secure promotion to the Premier Division.

Rob Nelson also starred with the bat, making 72 (Image: Archant)

Rob Nelson, who has been with the Harman Drive side since he was a boy, produced a superb all-round display as Brondesbury edged aside their relegated opponents on Saturday.

Nelson made 72 to help Brondesbury to a seemingly fragile total of 216-9 – and then took 4-72 to stop a threatened Town comeback in its tracks and limit them to 182 all out.

After last season’s relegation – the first in their history – Brondesbury have eased back into the top division having lost just two of their 17 games and winning eight.

And on an afternoon when his side at one stage threatened to crumble, Fosbraey hailed his team-mate’s pivotal performance with bat and ball.

“Rob came in at number nine and got his highest total for about 20 years,” said Fosbraey. “We’re chuffed for him, he’s been here since he was a kid and he had the game of his life.

“He got us to 217 and then took a load of wickets as well. He absolutely loves the club so it was a great day for him.

“To be honest, we probably should have lost. We were 79-7 at one stage; I think it was a bit of nerves or maybe over-excitement. We certainly had a bit of a celebration after the game, I think a few of the guys were feeling a bit fragile on Sunday morning!”

Brondesbury’s season has been littered with impressive individual records, with James Overy finishing top of the scoring charts with 644 runs, while Dave Miller’s 35 wickets was also one of the highest totals in the league.

“They’ve both been big players for us, but the team performances have been good all season,” said Fosbraey. “We don’t have any individual stars here, just a team packed with players who love the club.

“It has been a lot of hard work this season but we feel like it has paid off.

“I think we’ve always been a big side, but it was a downward slide over the last five years or so, so perhaps relegation last season was not the worst thing in the world. We have a great colts section now so I think we’re in good shape for the future.”