Saturday 10th July 2010

Hants League Regional Div 4 Central

Sway III   228-9    Southampton Community III   167 

Sway thirds bounced back into promotion contention with an impressive 24-point  win against the division’s second-placed team.

Electing to bat first, but with a changed opening pair, Sway advanced to 30 in the 10^th over before D Hurrell was trapped LBW by A Khan (2-37), the pick of the visitors’ bowlers. D Steadman, having survived a few early chances, grew in confidence, but was eventually bowled for 44. The score continued to tick along nicely, with handy contributions from T Owen (25), W Woodfine (23) and P Hammett (30). A massive six from Smith’s first ball faced kick-started the late run surge, with 61 runs added in the last seven overs, and S Nailor finishing 24 not out, as Sway posted 228-9 on a deteriorating wicket.

For the away side F Mutiti also kicked off his innings with a big six, but this time it was the first ball of the innings. When he was dropped early on the signs were ominous, but he had reached 24 when Woodfine took a fine low catch at square leg. From 66-3 Community built a little, with D Gill and H Patel looking increasingly dangerous. They pushed the score on to 124, but the introduction of the left-arm spin of T Owen proved decisive, as both were clean bowled in quick succession, for 20 and 26 respectively. From here the innings subsided to 139 for 8, Owen having two more to finish with figures of 4-26. With the 11^th batsman having left for home already, J Tarfadar (20 n.o.) and A D’Souza (22) were effectively the last pair, and put up stubborn resistance in a partnership worth 34. Eventually the latter went for one big shot too many and was caught by Woodfine, his third of the innings, and his second off the bowling of Smith (2-38).

Many thanks to Hordle Village CC for supplying a wicket with the usual home venue of Woodside Park out of action for the afternoon.