Broadway 2nd XI continued their fine late season form with a fine victory away at Champions elect Long Itchington. With just 3 games remaining now, the side is 24 Points behind 2nd placed Fladbury, but the 2 sides meet in a potentially massive encounter next Saturday.

Broadway made 4 changes from the side that had won convincingly Vs Elmley 2nd XI last weekend. Jelfs, Mendoza, Bernie & Sam Donoghue, were replaced by Carlo Carenza, Ross, Willett & Holmes. Steve Wheeler took over the wicket keeper gloves from Jelfs.

Wheeler once again won the toss and decided to let Long Itchington have first use of what looked a good batting wicket, the outfield was quite slow, so knowing a par score would be tricky. The opening combination of McDonagh & C.Carenza (10 overs for 30) proved very difficult to score off, with McDonagh in particular beating the outside edge a number of times. The opening batsmen had seen off McDonagh's initial 6 over burst and were beginning to look relatively settled, when Pedley bowled Foster with a full toss.

Left-handed all-rounder Franks swung the willow effectively (as he had done in the corresponding fixture earlier in the year) and was beginning to frustrate the visitors. He lost opening batsman Coop who was bowled by Willett for 30. Franks was beginning to accelerate the run rate when a mix up between him & Insall proved costly. Insall hit the ball to short fine leg & set off for 2 runs, with both batsmen at the strikers end F.Carenza threw the ball to Wheeler, who re-layed the throw to the bowler Marston to dismiss Franks.

Thereafter Broadway kept the run rate down and began to take control, another mix up between the wickets saw the run out of Brooks, thanks to a throw at mid-wicket from Pedley, the usually reliable Willett bowled Phillips off his legs. Willett bowled his 10 overs straight through taking 2 for 39. Marston and Pedley (2/38) closed out the innings taking wickets each, Marstons variations of pace and Pedley's accuracy proved hard for the batsmen to score from. Long Itchington ended with a competitive total of 164 for 7 from their 45 overs - a mention must also go to the fantastic effort in the field from all fielders.

In reply Broadway openers got off to a solid start. After his impressive batting Vs Elmley, Frank Carenza kept his opening spot & Holmes returned to the top of the order. The scoring rate was ticking over at around 3 runs per over after 10 overs when Carenza over-balanced and was stumped. McDonagh followed shortly after, driving to cover. Wheeler joined Holmes & they shared a gritty partnership. Wheeler struggled to score runs from the impressive pace bowler Avlakh, whereas Holmes looked in imperrious form. Wheeler laboured for 15 runs before chopping on from Elkerton.

The in-form James Hands (not used to bowl, despite his 5-for last week), joined Holmes, and they shared the crucial partnership of the match. Accelerating the run rate to within managable proportions. Hands hit a rare 6 off Butler & some improved running between the wickets got Broadway within touching distance. It was something of a surpise when Hands was out stumped for an impressive and valuable 31.

Marston joined Holmes at the wicket, just in time for Holmes to reach his first 50 of the season. With 10 needed off 2 overs & the economical Avlakh to bowl the last of them. The pair decided to target the penultimate over from Franks. An overthrow off the 4th ball brought the scores level and Holmes finished the game in grand fashion, hitting Franks for 6 over the mid-wicket boundary to finish unbeaten on 65.                                                                                              

With Long Itchington virtually assured the title, it was a fine win for Broadway. The game was played in good spirits, and many thanks go to the hosts' local pub for putting on a free curry for those who decided to stay for a post match drink.

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