Broadway 1st v Earlswood – Premier Division, Saturday 10thAugust

Broadway 242 for 5, Earlswood 245 for 2. Earlswood won by 8 wickets.

Earlswood 21 points Broadway 6.

Broadway entertained the league leaders and despite some valiant individual performances and good collective commitment, they were comfortably beaten by a hugely strong Earlswood batting order.

The visitors won the toss and invited Broadway to bat first, confident that they would chase down whatever was set. McDonagh (20) and Martin (12) started very patiently but with confidence until McDonagh was undone by one that castled him as it kept low. When Martin fell in an unfortunate manner, he was quickly followed by N Evans leaving Broadway precariously at 72 for 3 in the 24thover.

Humpston, fresh from a two week sabbatical, joined captain G Evans and they batted positively and Humpston in particular enjoying a lion’s share of luck, started to clear the boundary with regularity. G Evans continued his fine season’s form and they collectively built a decent momentum. Having elevated the total to respectability (183) they both however fell in consecutive overs, Humpston for 63 clean bowled and G Evans for 70 trapped in front.

Phillips and Hawkins, both new to the crease with only 5 overs remaining had little choice but had the freedom of others still in the shack, set about the Earlswood attack. They quickly sent the score beyond 200 and with a flurry of lusty blows, mixing straight with “cow corner” in equal measure they plundered over 50 runs from the final 3 overs. The final tally of 242 for 5 was felt to be a competitive one despite the good pitch and quick outfield.

Unfortunately, Broadway’s already weakened bowling attack due to holidays, was further hindered by Adam “Clark Kent” Smallman pulling up lame early on making the task of containing an imposing batting order rather more difficult. Despite Cutler trapping opener Everett in front early on, the two Mohammeds maintained their impressive form and rattled the score along. When Ross deceived one of them with the score on 125, they were offered hope. Unfortunately this just brought the hard hitting C Everett to the crease and he, punishing anything slight error, raced to an unbeaten half century and made extremely light work of the potentially imposing total. Everett finished not out 61 and W Mohammed 87, as they won with 10 overs to spare. Horsburgh and McDonagh along with Cutler and Ross deserve credit for their efforts but the leaders continued their merry march to an inevitable title.

The Broadway 2nds travelled to Winchcombe in confident mood having had a bye the previous week, but they were undone by their batting order all getting starts but failing to go on, Wheeler top scoring with 37. Their total of 186 proving too few, as Winchcombe chased them down in the last over for the loss of 6 wickets - Willett was the stand out bowler with 3 for 33

On Sunday Broadway hosted a club day with a difference. Two teams made up of club members gathered as “superheroes!” A game of juniors was played from midday until 2, as many of the promising players showed their skills. The main event saw Captain America and the incredible Hulk open the batting, faced with a masked Spiderman and his web of intrigue. Robin, two Supermen, He-man, and Batman ensued in the batting line up. The sight of Robin being run out by Robin, and Superman falling caught Batman bowled Robin proved very entertaining to the large crowd gathered. The star of the costumes Banaman picked up the wicket of Captain America as the mayhem continued. Eventually after the dust settled on the 20 over scrap, the totals were 171 played 168. Highlights were an unbeaten half century for Matthew Phillips (Hulk) in a winning cause, a nearly match winning but ultimately fruitless punishing 65 by Spiderman (Jason Horsburgh) and a fabulous family day in the sunshine and thanks to all concerned.