Cricket
Leaders defeat Broadway

BROADWAY slipped to sixth place in the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division after suffering a seven-wicket defeat on Saturday at an Earlswood side who top the table.

After perfect conditions the previous week, the true British summer returned and provided very poor conditions for cricket.

The pitch had not been covered and had absorbed a torrential morning downpour, so a prompt start was impossible.

After a prolonged mopping up operation and the application of mounds of sawdust, the captains agreed to a truncated 30-over per side match.

Broadway were asked to bat first and suffered early setbacks when Nigel Evans was caught at slip and Marcus Humpston caught off a leading edge.

Captain Gary Evans led by example and made batting look comfortable as the bowlers were struggling with their run-ups but, after reaching 29, he miscued an on drive and was also caught off a leading edge.

At 51-3 at the halfway stage, the Broadway innings needed a lift and Jamie Powell (27) looked perfectly poised to provide it.

However, having delivered a few customary lusty blows, he offered an extremely sharp return chance which South African Tim Delahey (2-17) gleefully accepted.

With Mark Evans unfortunately run out after slipping in the wet conditions and Gary Hawkins (10) trapped in front again by Marvin Rice (3-21), it was left to Chris Close (13no) - making his final appearance (at least for a while) - and Andy Beale (9no) to lift the innings to a respectable 119-7.

Earlswood made a positive start to their reply and quickly reached 37 without loss.

However, the introduction of Beale (2-34) threatened to turn the match as he removed two of the Everetts in consecutive overs.

With Powell (1-29) snaring the other opener in between, the hosts had slipped to 41-3.

This, however, brought Will Windeatt to the crease and he quickly dispelled any tension in the reply with a series of lusty strikes which brought the game to a premature end.

He finished 58 not out and led his team, assisted by Karl Everett (25no), to an ultimately comfortable victory at 124-3.

Broadway play host to Wellesbourne tomorrow.

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