Match report v Rowington
Posted by Nobody on 9 May 2016
Broadway began what looks likely to be another difficult season, with a heavy defeat at home to Rowington. A combination of superior opposition, poor batting and a rain delay which massively helps batting second all contributing factors.
Rowington won the toss in humid conditions and, with the forecast not looking too promising, unsurprisingly elected to field first. The opening combination of Wheeler and Holmes saw off the opening eight overs with a few minor alarms, before Wheeler was well caught at gully to a lose shot. Phillips arrived at number three and struck three dismissive boundaries, before spooning the ball to cover.
Holmes and Powell then rebuilt the innings. Powell was very circumspect at first, but once he got his eye in was his usual destructive self. It was a slight surprise when Holmes was dismissed, again caught in the covers for a patient 27. Beale followed for a duck, playing round a ball that straightened. Beale, Powell and Holmes are the last remaining players from the Broadway successful era of the late 90's early 2000s.
Powell had made his way to 46 at more than a run ball, before not committing to a lofted shot and being well caught and bowled off the left arm spinner. Smallman and Pedley briefly consolidated and each struck a nice boundary, before Pedley spooned to cover. Smallman soon followed caught in the deep trying to get Broadway to a competitive total. The tail subsided quickly and a total of 133 - with 6 overs unused - was below par on a decent wicket.
After four overs of the Rowington reply the forecasted rain arrived, when conditions finally eased the target was reduced to 71 off 26 overs. The run ups were still wet and conditions probably not fit to play, but with no neutral umpires it is never easy to resolve. On resumption Rowington eased to their target in the 15th over with no wickets lost. It would've been harsh on the visitors had the rain denied them a deserved win. Broadway collected just two points from the fixture and sit at the bottom of division one.
The second team had much better luck with the conditions in another reduced match away at Rowington. They restricted Rowington in 160-6 off 45 overs, including a couple of wickets from the wily off spin of the chairman Dave Williams. In reply Broadway were struggling before rain arrived. When play did resume a reduced target of 101 was knocked off, with Warren Marston scoring the bulk of the runs.
