Saturday 17th July 2010.

Sway I too strong for Hamble II

Sway 166-1, Hamble II 165-5. Sway won by 9 wickets

Sway I maintained their promotion push with a somewhat indifferent performance against a gutsy Hamble side. Hamble won the toss and elected to bat and the opening partnership of of S Taylor (34) and on-for J Batchelor (58) soon settled down into some solid if not spectacular batting. Sway were their own worst enemies, with as soon as any pressure was built, it would be relived via extras, mis-fields and even dropped catches. Missing the miserly bowling of Jack Walton Sway found it particularly hard to apply pressure and this was compounded when Geroge Thornton suffered problems with his run-up and was withdrawn. Unlike in previous seasons, however, Sway now have bowlers that can squeeze the run rate as well as take wickets. Nilantha Atapattu and the freshly re-called Terry Patch doing exactly that. Patch bowler particularly well for 10-2-28-28, being very unlucky to to get any wickets.

The opening pair has made it to 115 without loss after 31 overs - but with the run-rate sub par it was clear that a couple of wickets would put Sway back in control of the game. It was Atapattu who finally made the breakthrough with a crucial wicket when Batchelor looped one up to Dave Marshall at gully. Shortly afterwards Sway claimed another two wickets - firstly the returning fully-fired up Jon Grasham sent the number 3's bails back a full 30 yards; then Atapattu dimissed Taylor with Henry Thornton taking the catch. By now Hamble's progress was pretty slow given the shortage of remaining overs. As they chased for runs Chris Hammond took a fine catch in the deep to give Steve Thistleton a deserved wicket and Grasham removed another set of bails to leave Hamble on 165-5 after 42. The score was probably 40+ too low and it represent a good recovery for Sway from a poor start.

In reply Sway got off to an idea start. Not for the first time this season it was a case of role-reversal with Adam Clark being dominant role with Alex Hall very much playing a more submissive role. Although Clark had a big slice of luck along the way with Hamble putting down a dolly of a catch, the pair had long since killed off the game by the time Clark was well caught for 84 in a partnership of 156. It remained for Atapattu 9* and Hall 58* to knock off the remain runs needed for victory with 10 overs to spare.

Next is on paper a very tricky trip for fellow promotion chasers Nomansland - Sway will have bowl and field much better against their strong batting line up.