10 man Broadway lost for the 8th time out of 10 matches this season, as relegation from the Cotswold Hills League Premier Division becomes increasingly more likely.

Once again, despite begging, stealing and borrowing players, the first team travelled to Earlswood with only 10 players. For a change Broadway were asked to field first as Earlswood won the toss.

Adam Smallman got off to an impressive start with the ball and got his just rewards when McGovern edged him to Barry Clements at first slip. Marvin Rice followed shortly after, slapping a long hop to Steve Wheeler at point. The hosts were three down following sharp work from Marcus Humpston behind the stumps who stumped Reeve off the bowling of Jamie Powell.

Leon & Karl Everett then began a recovery for the hosts before Karl was LBW to the off spin of Clements for 27. Skipper Will Windeatt joined and continued the recovery, to take the initiative for the hosts. The fifth wicket was something of a surprise when Everett gave Warren Marston a return catch. Arron Snipe made a restrained seven, clearly resisting the urge to swing at everything, before he played around a straight delivery from Matty Phillips. Hassett followed soon after, caught by Phillips off Smallman. Wicket keeper Calkeld joined Windeatt in adding crucial runs for the 8th wicket before Windeatt was bowled by Powell for 56. Brown followed soon after caught at backward square leg by Dave Williams off Phillips. Bussey helped Calkeld (30 not out) get the hosts over the 200 mark, Earlswood close on 206 for 9 - a score both sides would probably have been happy with.

In reply Clements was dismissed early on bowled by the pacey Snipe for five. Frank Carenza followed soon after caught at mid off for six. Phillips and Humpston began a recovery before Phillips was caught and bowled by Hassett for 18, a very good catch with the ball driven back firmly at the bowler. Humpston edged Snipe to first slip and Williams followed next delivery pinned LBW. Broadway were now 50/5. Marston & Wheeler added 20 before Marston was well caught by Calkeld off the bowling of Bussey. By now the opening bowlers Snipe & Hassett had been withdrawn from the attack, and number eight batsman Jamie Powell took advantage of the change bowlers, hitting some huge sixes, as the hosts began to get twitchy. Powell was supported by Wheeler and the pair got the target down to 55 runs to win with Powell going passed his first half century of the season, before Wheeler was bowled by the returning Snipe for 26. Powell was bowled by Snipe (6 for 47) in the next over for 52. Sam Hopkins was the last man dismissed caught off Rice for 1. Broadway were 53 runs short of the target.

Broadway collected seven points from the fixture, but with Alcester & Ragley beating Bidford, the gap has widened. It will take a big turnaround now to secure Premier Division status.

The second team also lost by nine wickets to Stanway. Broadway scored 110 all out, with Nigel Evans scoring 23. The visitors knocked this off for the loss of one wicket.