Sway 155-8, Fawley 144-9 Match Drawn

Following their disappointing defeat in the first game of this season's TWT at home to Hythe & Dibden, Sway knew that a further defeat would put them out of the running for the cup.

In the event a superb maiden half century from U17 Sam Richards and a 6-wicket haul from U40 Dave Marshall rescued Sway from almost certain defeat and very nearly snatched the most unlikely of victories at the death.

Fawley won the toss and put Sway into bat and straight away were on top. Ian McElhenny, so often the scourge of Sway in this tournament, was on top form ripping into the Sway batting line up and was well supported at the other end by Matt Head. McElhenny (8-3-9-3) was bowling some unplayable stuff sending both Steve Keen and Jacob Moore quacking back to the pavilion. With Laurie Symons being run out for 1 and Dave Marshall inside edging a ball onto the stumps, Sway were is desperate trouble at 10-4. However a partnership of contrasting styles began to develop between Will Baughan and Sam Richards. Baughan was playing his usual attacking game and once the Fawley opening bowlers were rested, began to lay into the change bowlers. Richards in contrast was displaying steely determination and concentration not to throw his wicket away early in the longer game format - something that will not have gone unnoticed by the adult skippers present! The score moved on to 80 before Baughan, who had played well to leave the good balls, finally got over excited and was bowled for 38. U13 skipper Dom Keen then entered the fray and provided an excellent partner for Richards. The score was then moved on at a steady pace to 122 before Keen was eventually bowled for an excellent 21. Richards however remained resolute notching up his maiden Sway half century and carrying has bat to the end for a magnificent 63no as Sway finished their innings on 155-8 - a score which at least gave Sway a chance.

In reply Fawley got off to an excellent start quickly putting on 43 before Martin Symons, rolling back the years had Pothecary caught at slip by Pete Bennet for 36. Fawley were still looking comfortable however especially with fellow opener Shrive looking in good nick. Sway attempted to slow the scoring down by bringing on the slow bowlers - U15 spinner Nathan David at one end and middle paced slinger Dave Marshall the other. Marshall struck first clean bowling Head for 13 and David struck  with the penultimate ball of his excellent 4-over spell (4-0-5-1), bowling Strong for a duck. Sway experimented several times by returning to the fast bowling of Matt Bramwell and latterly Sam Richards but as is often in such games the almost inevitable extras, edges etc relieved the pressure on the batting side. Rather short of bowling options Sway turned to Jacob Moore (8-0-26-0) to support Dave Marshall who was now bowling his "spinners". Marshall's unconventional action and variation of pace seemed to confuse Fawley and suddenly the game began to turn around. Crucially key batsman Shrive edged one, again to Pete Bennet and their other danger man McElhenny was deceived my Marshall's slower ball. Nevertheless Fawley with 4 wickets in hand still needed a relatively modest 17 off the last 5 overs for victory. Sway may well have had a run out and exerted further pressure when Marshall's direct hit from point caught the umpire completely unawares, a diplomatic incident being averted by the fielder  himself (no stranger to shocking umpiring) adjudging the batsman to be "just about in".

With the ball Marshall (8-1-20-6) was now in wicket hungry mode, completing a 6-wcket haul which would have been seven if a dolly was not dropped off the last ball of his spell. At 144-8 and two overs remaining, Sway were on tenterhooks as to how Fawley were going to play it. With a beefy looking batsman entering the fray it was tricky to set the field. In the event Fawley seemed glad to take the draw and whist the returning Symons claimed the 9th wicket, it was the final ball.

A most entertaining and competitive game fully underlying the value to the tournament - and special congratulations to Sam, with the 15th November already pencilled in for when he can celebrate his 50 in traditional style!! . No doubt the oilmen will be desperate to frustrate their deadly rivals Hythe's title ambitions in the next game on the 11th July !!