Weekend Preview
Posted by Nobody on 3 June 2011
After a promising start to the 2011 season, with back-to-back wins, Broadway were setting their sights on a title push. But back-to-back defeats against Exhall & Wixford and Bretforton (2 title contenders) mean that Broadway go into the 5th league match currently occupying 3rd from bottom in the Premier Division table, & their 3rd difficult fixture in a row against another title contender - Earlswood - could define the season for the Snowshill Road club.
Deputy Captain, Gary Evans, has admitted that the top order batting hasn't fired during the last 2 weeks & despite the excellent form of middle order batsman Jamie Powell over the season so far, Evans has admitted that the senior batsmen need to take responsibility and provide a platform for the explosive Powell to increase the run-rate in the closing overs, as opposed to his current role of re-building the innings.
The side is still without club captain Barry Clements, whose back injury shows no sign of clearing & no date has been put on his comeback. Clements' lack of runs have been missed at the top of the order & the side have tried 3 different opening batsman combinations in the first 4 games. Nigel Evans is replaced at the top of the batting order this week by left-hander Chris Close & fast bowler Jason Horsburgh returns to the side at the expense of Stu Clark who drops down to the 2nd XI.
Earlswood surprisingly lost their opening league fixture against newcomers Ashton Under Hill, but since that have won 3 games on the bounce, to leave them sitting 2nd in the league table, 4 points behind Exhall & Wixford.
The 2nd XI also have a tough fixture at home to 3rd placed Henley In Arden in Division 5. The side welcome back several experienced players, but despite their defeat at Claverdon last weekend, captain Steve Wheeler is happy at the progress of the side so far. 20 players have been used by the 2nd XI in just 4 games so far this season & Wheeler feels that with a settled team, the 2nd XI will be pushing for promotion in Division 5.
