Depleted Broadway made to pay (From Evesham Journal)

Depleted Broadway made to pay

2:00pm Sunday 19th August 2012 in Sport

BROADWAY collapsed to 82 all out as they crashed to a 10-wicket defeat at home to leaders Earlswood in the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division.

The depleted hosts were inserted on a wicket that proved a little two-paced and their batting performance was inadequate.

Earlswood’s pacey opening attack started waywardly and their mid-table opponents raced to 24 without loss.

The game changed in the fourth over as openers Marcus Humpston (13) and Nigel Evans (10) succumbed to leading edges with the lack of pace in the pitch becoming evident.

Earlswood pressed home their advantage as the pace of Tim Delahey (4-31) and Snipe (4-44) unravelled Broadway. Only captain Adam Smallman, who faced 44 balls to remain undefeated on 15, and chairman Bernard Donoghue (12) provided real resistance.

Waqar Mohamed’s slow off-breaks brought a swift end to the innings in the 21st over.

Although Broadway’s bowlers strived valiantly, Smallman particularly beating the bat, Leon Everett (45) and Mohamed (38) saw the visitors home.

Broadway’s seconds maintained outside hopes of promotion by toppling leaders Long Itchington in Division Five by six wickets.

Chasing 164-7, Broadway replied with 170-4 as Kevin Holmes returned to form with a crucial undefeated 65.