Elmley Castle 1st v Broadway 1st – Premier Division, Saturday 19th May

Elmley Castle 114 all out, Broadway 115-7 (Broadway won by 3 wickets)

On a dull, wet day at Elmley the home side were invited to bat first on a surprisingly dry looking pitch. The outfield had patches of standing water and when the ball was struck along the ground it threw up spray as it rolled along. For the second week running Broadway restricted their opposition impressively in the field but made hard work of the reply, before ultimately prevailing. 

After a very patient start, Howman was trapped in front by the impressive Powell who bowled unchanged claiming 2-22. Stewart was miserly from the other end (8 overs for 10 runs) as Elmley struggled to get the scoreboard moving. The introduction of Smallman 2-7, and Beale 4-22 induced a flurry of wickets and a very meagre total looked likely. A late cameo from skipper Will Bailey of 25 ensured Elmley topped the hundred. Horsburgh clean bowled Bailey in the final over to ensure maximum bowling points.

The visitors reply mirrored the home side’s patience. Broadway’s openers however built on their foundation and both Gary Evans (23) and Nigel Evans (33) found their fluency and they reached 49 before Corbett (2-26) induced a loose drive from the younger Evans to break the partnership. Humpston followed shortly after and Nigel Evans was caught and bowled by Simon Cooper which reduced Broadway to 60 for 3. Last week’s hero Powell failed to trouble the scorers and Elmley sniffed a chance. The third and youngest Evans brother Mark (16) played in circumspect fashion to keep the scoreboard ticking over and aided by a few lusty blows from Phillips and Hawkins got them close. With 7 wickets down and still 7 needed, vice-captain Smallman arrived at the crease with pressure building. He successfully punctured this with a lusty swing of the willow resulting in a 6 over long on. A tickled single through square leg a ball later and the game was over.  

Back at the Snowshill ground Broadway 2nds hosted Great Alne 2nds, and restricted the visitors to 110 all out, including some fine bowling spells across the whole team. Tom Willet (3-18), Toby Smith (2-15) and Warren Marston (3-29) of particular note. Despite falling to 25-5, the home side maintained their winning start with experienced pair Carenza (24), and Jelfs (15 not out) plus a useful 8 not out from debutant Toby Smith getting the home side within sight of victory and the final pair saw them home by the single wicket.

On Sunday a Broadway XI travelled to Herefordshire for their second round tie against Pencombe CC in the Yorkshire Tea Village Knockout. In what was an idyllic setting for a game played in good spirits by both sets of players, Broadway failed to live up to their Premier League status. Inserted on an uncovered ‘sticky dog’ of a wicket, Broadway struggled throughout their innings against some reasonable bowling but fundamentally a completely unpredictable playing surface. Posting an all out total of 63 it was always going to be a huge challenge to turn around a victory, with Pencombe chasing on an ever-drying wicket. However, Broadway made a good effort in the field to pull off an unlikely ticket to round three, with Powell (3-3 from 9 overs) Stewart (2-19 from 9) and Smallman (1-12 from 6) having Pencombe at 31 for 6. However, the home team stuck to their task and deservedly passed the low target for 6 wickets. Pencombe were fine hosts and we wish them luck in the next round.

Overall a mixed weekend but with our 1st and 2nd XI both in second place in the Premier and Fifth division respectively, we look forward to our league fixtures next Saturday.

For match scorecards click here