Sway II runs champions close

New Milton II 124-4, Sway II 102-4

Sway II saved their best performance of the season for their last game against newly crowned champions New Milton II.

Sway won the toss and put New Milton into bat and seemed to regret the decision straight away when Matt Bramwell's first ball was smashed for 6. Bramwell however kept his cool and the next over took a catch off Sam Harvey to leave New Milton on 23-2 after 2 overs.

Next in was Steve Taylor the powerful skipper of New Milton's outdoor 2nd XI (CD2) -  Taylor went straight onto the attack and was soon retired back in the hutch. Sway's bowlers however kept their composure - only bowling 5 extras in the entire innings, compared with 20+ in previous games. Sway now applied the brakes to the New Milton innings  - bowling and fielding well. Confidence grew to the extent that when there was a clear run-out opportunity, heads were level enough not to remove the bails in order to prevent the reappearance of Taylor. In the event a further run-out meant that Taylor did get back in but only for 1 ball at the non-strikers end. 

The target of 125 to win seems very achievable, however, New Milton demonstrated why they were champions with a strong bowling display. With an accurate bowling attack they were able to bring the fielders in off the back walls in order to choke the "singles" and force the batsmen to gamble by going over the top.

Sway's reply got off to a bad start when Rick How was run out with the score on just 2. His opening partner Ross Clark batted were well for his unbeaten 33 albeit like all the other Sway batsmen he was never really able to get on top of the bowling. Clark's new  partner was Steve Hannibal who was going along nicely on 9 when in a rather bizarre incident that will form the basis of pub banter for many years to come he became the first player in the history of the club to be dismissed (albeit he walked!) for "obstructing the field"!!! 

Skipper Dave Marshall felt pinned down but nevertheless felt a bit cheesed off to be given out caught behind for 4 by a ball that clipped the top of his pad - however in fairness Marshall never looked like getting any runs anyway!

Sam Harvey (1) made a brief appearance and it was left to Matt Bramwell (8*) and Clark to bat out the innings, gaining what might turn out to be a valuable bonus point for passing 100.

All in all not the greatest season, however, still a lot of fun and it kept the ashes glowing through the dark winter days. Some good cricket was played (not a lot, but some!) and a lot of lessons were learnt by what was a very young squad who will undoubtedly be better and stronger next year.

Dave Marshall would like to thank all his players especially Rick for reminding him to pick a team every week. Thanks also to Pete, Steve and Dave H for giving up their time to score & umpire.