Sat 21st May 2011

Sway 4th XI too strong for Mudeford

Mudeford IV 78ao,  Sway IV 81-5. Sway won by 5 wickets.

Sway IV travelled to Wingfields and bowled first on a very grassy wicket against a 9 man Mudeford IV team (with another on his way). James Howard (“Dapper”) and Will Holyhead opened the bowling and both looked menacing from the start. It was Howard who struck first in the 3^rd over removing opener Pettengell for a duck, caught at mid-off by Captain Hillyar. This brought Aimson to the crease, but not for long as Holyhead at the other end bowled him for a golden duck. Holyhead then had opener Proudley caught at mid-on by Lee later in the over and Sway were suddenly well on top. This brought Pritchard and Kelly to the crease who started to build a decent partnership. Kelly blocking out everything that Holyhead bowled him and Pritchard starting to hit a few boundaries off Howard at the other end. The score was now ticking on fairly well for Mudeford and they looked to be fighting their way back into the match. However, in a possibly game changing moment, Howard bowled the big hitter of the pair, Pettengel (16) and Mudeford were suddenly struggling again. Holyhead finished his tight spell (7-3-14-2) and Hillyar brought himself on. Kelly and Miller put on a small partnership. But when Howard dismissed Miller (10), caught by Gallagher, the Mudeford tail failed to wag (Smith, Borley and Otterwell all got ducks). This was mainly down to a magical spell of bowling from Howard who finished (10-2-22-5), claiming his maiden 5 wicket haul. However, possibly the decisive moment of the innings was when Hillyar (6-0-30-1) induced a think edge off Kelly (who was now on 23 and looking dangerous) and it was sharply taken at gully by Holyhead. Lee (3.1-0-5-1) claimed the final wicket which left Mudeford all out and Sway needing 79 to win.

This sounded a fairly easy target to reach. However, considering that Sway IV had been bowled out for 86 and 70 in their first two games of the season there was an air of apprehension as openers M.Wright and D.Farquhar stroke out to the middle. The pair started very sensibly. However, Wright (4) fell early on to veteran bowler Pettengell. This brought C.Sugden back to the crease after a two year absence. This pair again ticked along sensibly. However, Farquhar (3) was then caught behind, again off Otterwell. This brought S.Wilson to the crease, who resolutely played with great composure through his innings. Sugden (11) had just started to play some shots when he too fell to a superb flying catch by the keeper off the bowling of Pettengel. J.Hargrave then joined Wilson, but not for long as he was bowled by Pettengel for a duck. This brought in C.Todd for league debut innings. He proceeded to play an array of glorious shots, including a perfectly time pull bouncing a meter in from the boundary and going for four. Todd (20) became the Mudeford keepers fourth victim of the day, this time off the bowling of Patel. However at this point Sway, needing only 10 and with 5 wickets in hand, had the game in the bag. It was left to Wilson (8.n.o.) and N.Gallagher to finish the game off. The winning runs were scored by Gallagher who, in his brisk 10.n.o, hit two beautifully struck fours (which were both aimed suspiciously close to his Dad on the scorebook!). Overall, a superb victory for Sway IV who have now climbed to 10^th in the table.

Niall Gallagher (right), hit the winning runs.