29th August 2021

2nd XI win title in record breaking drama

Sway II 447-3, Redlynch & Hale 152-7

On the morning of the final game Sway 2nds lay in the second of the two promotion places from Division 4  - just behind leaders Dorset Indians, but with Ellingham and Ringwood both breathing down their necks. The maths was tricky but Sway needed to score one more point than Ringwood with Ellingham having a more unlikely chance.

With Jubilee Field undergoing groundworks, Sway hosted Redlynch and Hale at Pennington, whilst Ringwood had the dreaded bank weekend trek over to Stonehenge to face Shrewton.

Sway won the toss and opened their innings with skipper Adam Clark and Alex Hall. As the pair walked out to the middle, few could have predicted what was to follow. A brisk start by the pair was only a taster of what was to follow. With their eyes in the paid started to tear the visitors bowling attack apart.

There were 233 runs on the board before Hall was trapped LBW for 128 off 93 balls - including 23 fours and two sizes. With new partner Will Millard Clark powered on to record Sway's largest ever individual score of 192 off 110 balls (25 fours and 10 sixes). Millard also notched a rapid 50 off 33 balls and their was time for a big hitting cameo from Hugo Chandler who bludgeoned 24 off 6 balls as Sway recorded their highest ever total of 447-3.

Few thought that Redlynch would able to chase such a total but could Sway bowl them out to claim maximum points and secure promotion?

Despite the looming prospect of relegation, Redlnych's batting line proved very resilient as Sway  toiled to get wickets. The visitors had 43 on the board before Sam Nailor finally made the breakthrough bowling opener Tanner. Steve How snaffled a caught & bowled to dismiss the other opener with the score on 53 however the numbers 3 and 4 Harry Sarjeant and Dominic Sell dug deep and as the score want past 100 it looked like Sway were only going to record a low-point victory and possible hand promotion to rivals.

Sway kept at it however a wicket for Dan Bailey and three wickets for occasional bowler Hall meant that Redlynch finished up on 154-7. Sway had won but with only 22 points it would not be enough if Ringwood has scored more. Frantic messages to Shrewton followed and with the promise of free beer secured, Shrewton relayed the news that they had done Sway a massive favour by thumping Ringwood. So Sway we promoted!

Things however got even better! News filtered though that Dorset Indians, despite leading the table all season, had been beaten at Steeple Langford. So Sway were league champions with Ellingham sneaking into 2nd place!

Sway 2nd XI

Back Row L-R: Vito Falso, Jack Baughan, Sam Nailor, Dan Stevenson, Hugo Chandler, Chris Baughan (Chairman & proud Groundsman of a 447 wicket)

Front Row L-R: Will Millard, Adam Clark, Steve How, Freddie Pearson, Oscar Silva-Perez