Sway 1st XI got off to a very disappointing start to the season going down to a 1-wicket defeat at home to Swan Green. New Sway skipper Jon Grasham lost the toss and was put into bat by the opposition. On a slow pitch, Sway got off to the worst possible start losing 2 wickets in the first over. Firstly Adam Clark, who had pulled the previous short ball for 4 runs, mis-timed a similar delivery from Swan Green new boy G Bradley and toe-ended the ball to mid-off. Just two balls later, Henry Thornton, thinking that Xmas had come early attempted the same shot to another short ball that held up, and was caught in the same position by the same fielder. Bradley was well supported at the other end by the accurate  medium pace bowling of Swan Green skipper D Tasker who was able to generate some movement off the seam. In just the second over Tasker bowled a ball outside the off stump which cut in - Sway opener Steve How offered no shot and was clean bowled leaving Sway in deep trouble at 4-3.

 

 In reply however Swan Green batted with skill and experience. Sway would have to take every chance if they were to win the game and this was not the case with a total of 4 catches going down during the innings which was to prove crucial. Sway Green moved onto a relatively untroubled 37 before Walton struck having M Head caught at  slip by Alex Hall for 8.  Hopes were raised further when A Tam was run out coming back for an ill-advised second run over the top of gully. Dave Marshall was quicker than expected to retrieve the ball and despite a slightly dodgy throw, it was accurate enough for Sway keeper Adam Clark to complete the run-out. Sway stuck again shortly after with McLaren well caught in the deep by Steve Thistleton off the bowling of Patch. A further wicket fell to a fine caught and bowled by the extremely large bucket hands of Barry Jones. Swan Green however did not buckle and the next wicket did not fall until 105 - a fine run out with a direct hit from the covers by Alex Hall. Sway finally saw some chances of victory when three further Swan Green wickets fell. Firstly Sadler was clean bowled by Steve Thistleton for a gutsy 42; then a catch by Terry Patch off the bowling of Jon Grasham and finally Grasham taking catch off the bowling off Thistleton. Swan Green were now 137 for 8 - setting up a tense finish. The Swan Green number 11 would have dreaded coming out to bat in this situation, however, their numbers 9 and 10 both batted sensibly to see Swan Green home with 8 overs to spare.

 So a poor and unexpected start to the season, however, and glance round the other results for the weekend, shows that as usual it is impossible to read too much into one set of results. Brockenhurst, who have come down two divisions, demolished Hordle so the local derby at Balmer Lawn on June 20th could well be a key game in Sway's season. New Milton III's secured a creditable win on the plastic at Bashley, whilst relegated Ampfield crushed Totton & Eling III. In the battle of the promoted sides, Burley convincingly beat Milford; and BAE thrashed Bransgore II. Sway's next opponents Ellingham II (who beat Sway last year) went down to a 7 wicket defeat at Alderholt.