Hants Regional 4 (Central)

BTC Southampton 99, Sway III    100-7. Sway won by 3 wickets

Sway 3rds continued their unbeaten start to the season, but were made to fight every inch of the way against a young BTC side on a highly unpredictable pitch at Fleming Park, Eastleigh.

The BTC skipper was soon regretting his decision to bat first as the regular opening Sway pair ripped through the batting order. James Howard and David Steadman had the home side reeling at 26-6 at the start of the 12^th over, before S Gillmore and D. Jones steadied the ship. Howard bowled his ten overs straight off for 2-22 and frequently beat the bat with skilful swing and seam. Steadman was practically unplayable however, his first spell being 6 – 3 – 3 – 4!

Jones was dominant in a 62 run partnership, notching 47 runs before being bowled by an inswinging yorker from Sam Nailor (3-18). Two more overs from Steadman gave him final figures of 4 – 9, but the collapse of the tail to other bowlers left him frustrated in his bid for a five-wicket haul, although content with 15 league wickets so far for the season (one for each year of his age!).

Sway’s reply looked to be comfortable enough despite the continuing erratic bounce, but the unnecessary run out of Dave Hurrell precipitated a clatter of wickets, and with the score at 75-7, only Ed Golding (19) and Steadman (11) had reached double figures. D Jones (3-36) had induced three catches behind the wicket, but the BTC cause was also helped by another needless run out. At the fall of the seventh wicket Sway’s under 13 captain Dominic Keen strode nervously to the wicket, but gradually grew in confidence with the assistance of Charles Smith. The pair picked up runs at regular intervals, and within just five overs the score had reached 92. A three to Smith (9) was followed by a no ball before Keen confidently pulled a four to win the match and finish 11 not out. It seems he felt that the result was never in doubt, as there was no way he was going to let his dad (due in next) get a bat!

Five out of five for Sway’s young side now, with the inspiration and vital contributions coming from different sources every week.