Broadway v Shipston

SHIPSTON'S highest league score this season was not enough to avoid a comprehensive defeat at Broadway.

Invited to bat first openers Julian Morris and Howard Bentham found runs difficult to come by as Powell and Schaus extracted pace and bounce. Greg Burrows proved equally as difficult to get away and he was rewarded with the wicket of Morris (20) in the 20th over, the total having reached 50.

Four more Shipston batsmen reached the 20 mark, but none went on to get a big score.

Howard Bentham led the way with 30 followed by Dave Murphy (29), L Stock (25) and Steve Righton (20).

Mark Schaus returned to pick up three late wickets with Kevin Holmes and Chris Close claiming two each, as the visitors ended on 173-9.

Broadway's reply did not start well as Chris Close fell victim to Rob Sipthorp for just seven, but a match winning partnership of 92 between Kevin Holmes and Andy Beale set the home team on their way. Holmes survived two early chances to make Shipston pay for their errors.

Dave Pyne had Andy Beale caught by Stock for 40, Julian Morris trapped opposition skipper Nigel Evans (6) caught by Jack Murphy and Steve Righton bowled Burrows (6), but any hope of victory was snuffed out as Jamie Powell (23) joined Holmes (75no) to see Broadway to their target with three overs remaining.