Sat 1st 2012

Shroton Away – 5 May 2012

Unfortunately, the first match of Swanage CC’s 2012 Saturday Division 1 campaign was a washout, along with many other fixtures scheduled for the day.

A few players were also involved in Swans’ very tight Sun 1st XI loss at home to newly promoted Fovant, and acquitted themselves very well, the highlight being Ricky King’s bowling and fantastic cameo mid-innings which almost won Swans the game, Ben Baczala’s excellent first spell and death-bowling, and Lewis Kirby’s glovework in the first innings, before compiling a gritty 41 coming in at two down for nothing and under the cosh.

Hopefully all players involved will take in to consideration the likely green and soft wicket they will likely play on when they entertain Broadstone 2nds at home, which will not easy to bat on and will require patience and technique to obtain a good score. But there will be much on offer for the bowlers if they can hit their lengths right from the start, as Baczala and King did so well on Sunday.

Selection takes place at nets commending 6:00pm at the Club Tuesday night and details will be posted shortly.

Broadstone 2nd Home – 12th May 2012

Any concerns Swanage skipper Ian Booth may have had about the rustiness of his troops after a long off-season and the wettest April since records began were put firmly to bed as Swanage executed a superb “total cricket” performance at home to last season’s Division One runners up, Broadstone 2nd XI.

The visitors won the toss in glorious sunshine and unsuprisingly elected to field first to extract as much from the surface as possible. Swans’ opener Matt Thomas (6) was the first wicket to fall with the score on 14, adjudged LBW in a tight call, which brought Booth to the crease to consolidate with old stalwart Mike Nash. Nash was out LBW for 12 with the score on 33 before Ricky King (2), last season’s batsman of the year, played on flapping at a ball well outside off stump leaving Swanage 35-3 and in a bit of trouble.

Lewis Kirby, winner of the notorious BLOB RACE in 2011, strode confidently to the crease with his sight firmly set on making amends for a disappointing season with the bat last year, and set up shop with Booth for the better part of 30 overs in a innings-changing partnership of 90 runs. Kirby and Booth both played watchful innings, never erring from their quest to play straight all day on a wicket that was becoming slower and lower and more unpredicatible as the innings progressed. Both batsmen ran really well between the wickets, always looking for singles and pushing for twos and threes on a surface and outfield where boundaries were like gold dust.

Just before the 40th over Booth’s concentration finally failed him and he was caught behind by Rogers off a ball that bounced a bit more off the excellent Abbot (9-2-27-1) for a gritty 42.

Kirby and Baczala (17) pushed on in an enterprising partnership before Kirby, playing wide of the crease – his first cross-bat stroke of the day – was bowled by Simmons (7-0-35-1), playing-on to his stumps just two shy of what would have been a fantastic half-century under trying circumstances.

The Swanage tail wagged like an excited puppy with Mikey Haines (9), Ryan Norman (14) and Steve Ramsay (11) all contributing at a run a ball to finish the innings 196-9: a very enterprising score on a difficult wicket, and especially gratifying given this was Swanage’s first innings for some time required to bat out 50, rather than 45 overs

After an excellent tea, Broadsone veterans – the dangerous Triniman and experienced Rogers – opened up against the pace, swing and seam of Ricky King (8-3-16-2) and the bananas that Swanage’s Yorkshire bowler, Steve Ramsay, bends in with the new ball.

In the second over Ramsay (6-2-8-2) yorked Triniman (1) before King had White (0) caught behind by Kirby. Rogers (0) followed shortly thereafter, caught at point off Ramsay by Haines. Griffiths (0) was sent packing, bowled King, and suddenly Broadstone were 9-4 and staring down the barrel.

But there was little let-off as Booth unleashed Ben Baczala – a couple of yards quicker this season, yet with the same control, seam and swing as ever – and Ryan Norman on to Broadstone’s hapless lower order. Broadstone skipper Lee Hanratty (18) and Leadbetter (15) salvaged some pride to get the visitors to 40 before Leadbetter was out LBW to Norman (6-2-5-3). Hanratty, seeing the writing on the wall, decided to tee off but was caught brilliantly by Booth at mid-off, running to his left and diving at full stretch to snaffle the ball just above the turf. Baczala (7.1-0-11-3) proceeded then to dismantle the tail and Broadstone were all out for 44.

In what appeared to be a performance much the same as the excellent showings Swanage served up throughout last season, the hosts had seen the first gauntlet of Division One cricket thrown down and stood up, united, against the challenge in comprehension fashion.

Swanage travel away to Hamworthy Rec next Saturday with the wind in their sails and confidence high. If they can show the same application with the bat, and maintain the soaring levels of discipline and intensity in the field, Hamworthy are in for a tough ride.

Hamworth Rec Away – 19th May 2012

Several Swanage players got sunburnt and stalwart Matt Thomas, who travelled, expectantly, for over 6 hours on Friday evening from Luton to play, actually suffered a minor bout of sunstroke as the Swanage side were relegated to watching their 2nd XI dish up Ferndown Wayfarers 4ths at home in blazing sunshine after Hamworthy Rec cancelled their Dorset Saturday Division One league game early on Friday afternoon.

In what could have been seen as a farce Swanage were left without a game for a second weekend out of three due to away team cancellations. With the league rules change that any cancelled game awards 5 points for a cancelled game, instead of taking the average of points by games played, Swanage have felt the brunt of this new ruling and lie mid-table on 29 points.

It is expected that the same XI selected for this fixture will be available for next Saturday’s tough assignment at home to old foes Marnhull, which brightens the mood, and with several players performing very well in the Swanage Sunday First XI’s great start to their campaign the hosts can feel confident of bring home the bacon.

With the home field and square almost immune to moisture, and prepared by a groundsman with commitment second to none, the outlook looks warm, bright and breezy as North meets South in what should be a juicy encounter as both sides try to impose themselves in a league that has the makings of being decided more on weather than cricket skills and performances if the last three weeks are anything to go by.



Marnhull Home – 26th May 2012

Man of the match Steve Ramsay starred with the ball, and pals Matt Thomas and Ricky King starred with the bat whilst showing off their match-winning abilities as Swanage beat Marnhull by 8 wickets at Days Park in their latest Dorset Saturday Division One match.

Marnhull won the toss in blazing sunshine and elected to bat on a great deck prepared with care and attention by the omnipresent Tom Yeates. With the sunscreen and team chewy being passed around, Ryan Norman and Ricky King led the attack, King striking first, trapping J Young LBW for 2. Shortly afterwards Jordan Bishop took a superb diving catch off a mistimed pull shot off Norman by Josh MacKay and Marnhull were suddenly 22-2. A Young, Marnhull’s young ‘keeper, and visiting captain Simon Sweatman, then re-built the innings seeing off Ryan Norman (10-1-40-1), who bowled quick and accurately for no real reward – extracting great bounce off the normally placid Swanage track – and Ricky King, who perhaps bowled a bit too straight to Young early on in search for wickets.

Steve Ramsay got himself in to the action at the Pavilion End with the ball still relatively new and almost straight away bowled Young with a ball that bent inwards and then seamed away to clip the hapless batsman’s off stump, leaving Marnhull delicately placed at 54-3.

D Williams and Sweatman continued the middle order defiance as Booth took over from Ramsay, and Baczala started operating from the Football Ground End. Baczala bowled superbly (7-2-16-1) but with little reward and Ramsay took over at the Football Ground End and again struck with a peach, hitting the top of Sweatman’s off stump as Marnhull lost their fourth wicket with 73 on the board.

Straight away Booth brought King (7-1-28-2) back from the Pavilion End and he didn’t disappoint, a cunning slower ball deceiving Williams who could only pat the ball back to King for a caught and bowled. Marnhull 75-5 and tottering.

Booth immediately took the ball again and, with Ramsay (10-3-18-3), started the Swanage Squeeze. Booth had Collins caught behind by Kirby for a duck before bowling Ed Ralph for 15, leaving Marnhull 99-7.

Ramsay and Baczala took two quick wickets thereafter before Booth (8.2-4-10-3) trapped No 11, Salzano, LBW for 1. Marnhull 119 all out.

After a superb tea, made by the players themselves – who have immense skills both on and off the field it appears! – Swanage openers Mike Nash and Matt Thomas strode confidently to the crease knowing they still had a job to do.

Both played some sparkling shots around the wicket in their first wicket partnership of 30 before Nash hit an air shot to cover for 8. Booth and Thomas pushed on to 63 before Ralph, in a great moment of “tit for tat”, trapped Booth (13) LBW with a clever piece of bowling.

Enter Ricky King, who knows how to finish a game with either bat or ball. King (25*) and Thomas (45*) negotiated the opening bowlers and then set about the rest to get Swanage past the line in just 21.5 overs.

Swanage remain unbeaten in May and with Booth striking 109* and King 47 in a 174-run partnership for the Sunday First XI against Ferndown Wayfarers on Sunday, and Nash, Thomas and Baczala all waiting to fire, their batting can be confident against any attack.

The last two wins have shown off the skill and control of the bowling attack which has a balance to it that some Southern League sides would be envious of. As a young team they have speed, agility and catching ability all around the park. Which will make them formidable visitors to Wallisdown Rec next Saturday against Branksome in a tricky assignment away from home, but where the spoils should come home to Days Park if the side can operate at its now expected level of intensity and discipline.

Branksome Away – 2nd June 2012

BACZALA BLITZES BRANKSOME

On Saturday Swanage CC’s band of merry men travelled to Branksome for their latest Division One encounter. Swans stand-in captain Ricky King won the toss and elected to bat first on Branksome’s road-like surface.

Swans opening pair of Mike Nash and Matt Thomas set-off in solid fashion until Nash (11) pulled-up lame for the second week running going for a sharp single. Thomas was joined by skipper King and together they pushed Swans up towards 50 before Thomas (21) nicked a good away swinger. King (29) and Lewis Kirby (26) batted enterprisingly, putting on a half-century partnership before they both fell in quick succession to full tosses.

Ben ‘Boom-Boom’ Baczala – Swans’ answer to Ian Botham – entered the arena and produced a truly Herculean effort with the bat. He smashed 77 not out off just 99 balls including 8 boundaries which were mainly expansive off and cover drives. He was ably supported by Mike Haines (12), the sprightly Mike Wells (18) and Jordan Bishop (17*) to enable the visitors to post a formidable total of 242-7.

In reply, the hosts were soon under pressure due to excellent bowling by Swans swing-kings Ryan Norman and king. Due to the inclement weather King decided to deploy his spin twins Matt Thomas and Dave Morton early to get through some quick overs to ensure that a result was possible.

Once this was secured, King introduced Ben ‘Beefy’ Baczala and his younger brother Elliott. Elliott bowled well, taking his first Saturday 1st XI wicket. However, the elder Baczala bowled a sensational spell of seam bowling claiming 6 wickets for just 29 runs from his 10 overs to destroy the hosts’ top and middle-order.

This enabled Swans to dismiss Branksome for 164 and ensure they remain in second place. Upon his return to the club, his team-mates showed their appreciation for Boom-Boom’s fantastic all-round endeavours by forming a ‘Guard-Of-Honour’ and he presented them with a jug of his favourite amber nectar and another long night of celebrating began.

Corfe Mullen Home – 9th June 2012

THOMAS AND BOOTH SMASH SWANS SECOND-WICKET PARTNERSHIP RECORD IN MASSIVE 139 RUN WIN AT HOME TO CORFE MULLEN

Dorset under-21 batsman Matt Thomas and and Swanage skipper Ian Booth smashed the Swanage CC second-wicket partnership batting record enjoying a 241-run soiree together as Swanage posted 298-2 after beig inserted in to bat against Dorset Division One regulars Corfe Mullen at Days Park on Saturday.

Thomas and Booth – Booth also shares the Swans CC first-wicket partnership record of 312 with Swanage legend Dave Dyer set at Broadstone’s Delph ground in 2006 – met early in the piece when Swanage lost young star Danny Salmon early for just 1 and the score on 14, but didn’t look back for another 46 overs as they tucked in to Corfe Mullen’s second- and third-change bowlers to rewrite Swange CC history.

Only Shilton (10-3-17-0) and Bolt (10-2-22-0) left Days Park with respectable figures as the other bowlers went for 259 runs between them.

Thomas was eventually out for a fantastically constructed 129 which, although not faultless, was as close to a perfect innings as one could play on a decent track which had a bit of nip in the early overs.

Both Booth and Thomas run superbly between the wickets to keep the rate continuously ticking, and appeared not to miss one opportunity the entire partnership to hit the bad ball to the boundary. Only a very tired shot, with the score on 255-1, led to Thomas’ downfall – bowled by Webster – as he departed to a standing ovation by a now growing and very appreciative crowd.

Booth and Ben Baczala (11*) continued the massacre though with a 43 run smash and grab affair off 18 balls, Booth raising his bat for his first Saturday ton since July 2010 to remain undefeated on 123.

After a tea that would have made Tracy King proud the Swans took to the field still pumped up with their imposing total on the board and set about their business as usual. Paul “First Class” Higham, down from Oxford, opened up from the Pavilion End with Steve “Uddersfield” Ramsay operating his boomerangs from the Football Ground End with help from the prevailing westerly-wind.

After Ramsay’s first over ‘keeper Lewis Kirby and slip Ben Baczala devised a cunning plan for Mullen opener Hoar who was continually turning Ramsay down to fine leg. Booth went in to leg slip and two balls in to Ramsay’s second over Hoar turned one round the corner in to Booth’s waiting hands: Mullen 10-1. Hannibal from the A-Team would have been proud.

Ramsay struck again with the score on 11, Dorset under-21 ‘keeper Kirby taking a sharp catch to dismiss Lewis, before Bolt was talked in to offering up an easy catch to Mike Haines at mid-on off one that Ramsay held back a tad, leaving the visitors reeling at 17-3.

Baczala took over from Ramsay as the ball lost some gloss while Ryan Norman took over from Higham. With the score on 32 Baczala got Walpole (11) to edge one to Kirby and when Jordan was adjudged LBW for 9 off Norman’s bowling Mulen were staring down the barrel at 40-5. Cresswell and visiting skipper Stannard (2) put on 18 more runs before Stannard was well caught at point by Norman, slashing at one from Baczala and Mullen were 58-6.

However, Cresswell found a partner, Williams, who was not willing to lie down and both hit out well against Booth. Cresswell was let off the hook on no less than three occasions though, before being cleaned up by Norman for 73 after constructing a thorny partnership of 73 with Williams. Another 22 enterprising runs were scored by Williams and Webster before Mike Wells (1.3-0-4-3), evergreen and loose from ball one with all that shoulder rotating and subtle hints, had Williams well caught by Baczala at deep square-leg for 38, bowling Triplon for a duck and getting Shilton caught behind for 1 to bowl out the visitors for 159 in 43.3 overs.

With two jugs on offer and a long list of fines, all recorded by vice-skipper Ricky King who sat out with a breast injury which KA may need to explain further, the Swans enjoyed a long night of banter and laughs, thoroughly deserved after another excellent performance first with the bat, and then another 10 wickets with the ball (and hence full points).

Swanage, by virtue of the new scoring system for washed off games, remain unbeaten alongside their opponents next week, Bere Regis, yet find themselves second, behind a Bournemouth side who have lost two games but none cancelled.

Swanage know their neighbours to be a solid, tight-knit outfit who dig deep when it matters. Their visit away will be their toughest assignment yet, but with veteran opener Mike Nash and all-rounder Ricky King back to full fitness, Swanage can only go in to this encounter with confidence and their tails up. If the Swans keep the discipline levels to the heights achieved in all three facets of the game so far there is every chance they can come home with a big win under their belts and their unbeaten record firmly intact.

Bere Regis Home – 16 June 2012

Swanage travelled to the very lovely Bere Regis Sports Club – with their newly refurbished change rooms and bar proudly on show – on Saturday on a cold, wet, blustery day where the gale force winds didn’t let up all day.

Swanage were expecting a close game against a tight unit packed with all-rounders who can all provide match-winning performances on the day. Skipper Ian Booth and his men had watched the weather forecast closely and knew the conditions would be tough to perform at maximum in. Sadly it wasn’t a Rich Cole masterclass or Dave Griffiths turning it square, or indeed Bere Regis skipper Deano Rogerson bamboozling them with flight and guile that would make the headlines. More like a conspiracy of luck.

Swanage captain Booth won the toss and in an act of either bravery or idiocy (sometimes a fine line !) elected to bat under the assumption that the deck would flatten out, the wind would drive Bere’s bowlers to distraction, and that any rain would only be due at 7pm.

Matt Thomas and Mike Nash opened up but in the first over Thomas, in a freak shot, spooned one up to Griffiths at mid-on for a golden duck and an inauspicious entry in to the BLOB RACE. Booth and Nash had a look at both bowlers before Booth (4) was adjudged LBW off Cole. Nash and King consolidated a bit before Nash was adjudged stumped off the ‘keeper’s pads. Baczala (0) was cleaned up by a beautiful swinging delivery, also entering the BLOB RACE with pal Thomas, but taking 15-balls to get there. Swanage 28-4 and feeling the heat!

Kirby and King battled hard against some excellent seam bowling first from Cheeseman and then spin from Rogerson and Macklin. With the score on 58, Kirby played a sweep off a leg-side ball which struck his pad – LBW.

He was followed shortly after by King (16) who, at the same end, suffered the same fate when attempting a slogsweep.

Ryan Norman (23) worked hard with the tail to get Swans to 119-9 before Steve Ramsay ran himself out in the 44th over. A very disappointing batting effort against the odds, yes, but lacking in the discipline and grit Swanage CC is renowned for. Had Swans batted 50 overs the extra runs scored may have created that much more scoreboard pressure.

After an excellent tea – thanks to Bere’s caterers – the hosts set about their task of grinding their way to the Swanage total. King and Baczala bowled very well with a sodden ball and wind that at times carried small bits of tiling and several small branches and restricted the home side to 30-1 off 15 overs before a deluge arrived and the players left the field. Not much time was lost but the ground was now very wet indeed while Booth (9-0-29-3) came on with his off-spin in to the wind and rotated his bowlers, including Mike Wells, who bowled very well for little reward, from the other end.

It was a great scrap with wickets falling fairly regularly but it was left to Bere stalwarts Rich Cole and Pedro Macklin to finish the game off in the 42nd over leaving the hosts winners by 6 wickets.

Swanage can be proud of their efforts though in trying circumstances. Tempers threatened to boil over and at times it appeared that the gods were truly not on their side, but at all times they kept composure, bowled with intent, fielded like demons and took all the chances that came their way. But in the end they were beaten by a good side on a day where not once did fortune favour their bravery.

Swanage fall down to third place with a home game against league leaders Bournemouth next weekend. They will know they need to make amends as soon as possible, and this will be a perfect opportunity to reduce the gaps between the three horses currently in the Dorset Saturday Division One race.

Bournemouth Home – 23rd June 2012

NORMAN AND NASH STAR IN CONVINCING 113-RUN WIN AGAINST LEAGUE LEADERS BOURNEMOUTH

Mike Nash hit an invaluable 51 runs up the order and with Ben “ITB” Baczala guiding the tail from 129-7 to a very respectable 196 all out, Swanage had the bit in their teeth as Ryan Norman and Gem Warner demolished the erstwhile league leaders’ batting attack with fine seam and spin bowling.

Swans skipper Ian Booth lost the toss and was inserted in to bat on a pitch that had dried remarkably well after all the wet weather the week before.

Nash and Matt Thomas opened up an had put on a quick 25 for the first wicket before Thomas (8) was bowled by an excellent R Smith yorker. Nash had earlier smoked the fourth ball of the innings over extra cover, over the stream and in the housing estate which gave an early indication of his intent.

Booth and Nash pushed on to 74 before the very tidy young leftarm orthodox spin from R Pack (10-2-18-1) trapped Booth LBW for 14.

Ricky King (1) came and went quite quickly before Nash and Oxford Blue Paul Higham rebuilt to 115. The wicket had by this stage lost all its bounce and with the ball wearing the wicket played slower and lower, which ultimately led to Higham’s dowfall for 12 and the board reading 115-4.

Nash passed his first fifty for the season in a similar vein to the shot to open his account – a smoking drive over extra cover – but was then adjudged LBW off P Rutland for an excellent 51. Nash’s innings was punctuated with patient defence when necessary and attacking strokes all around the wicket to loose balls which will be very pleasing to all watching given a majority of his scoring is ordinarily reserved for the off-side.

Lewis Kirby joined the BLOB RACE 2012 with a half-hearted poke to mid-wicket off P Rutland (6-1-27-3), before Ryan Norman was cleaned up by Choudary for just 2, leaving Swanage in a sticky situation at 129-7. Debutant Jem Warner (7) batted very sensibly with Baczala in a fantastic cameo partnership of 24 before he was trapped LBW off a Choudary (7-12-2) scooter. Ashley “Hashim Amla” King (8*) joined his pal Baczala and they too made the tail wag in a little gem of a 25-run partnership before Baczala, perhaps 10 balls early, tried tee off and was bowled by Smith (9.4-2-38-3) for a match-changing 37. Mike Wells (12) came in a smashed a few, his finest a soaring six off a long hop in the final over, before being stumped off the third last ball of the innings.

Baczala’s patience and ability when nursing the tail was truly exceptional. Two seasons ago the Swans likely would have folded for 140 with handfuls of overs to spare. Yet the 2012 vintage, matured over time, ensured the hosts could post a formidable total. Another gritty, disciplined Swanage batting performance to surpass the par score for the first innings at Days Park.

After an excellent tea, Collins and Uranker opened up for the visitors who were soon in trouble at 8-1 with Uranker well caught at point by Norman for 3 off Ricardo King (10-1-37-2), before Norman snaffled Collins shortly thereafter off Higham’s (6-0-24-1) bowling. S Russell and Bournemouth ‘keeper Matthews worked hard to get the visitors to 45 before Matthews was caught at mid-on by Warner off King.

Visiting skipper Whatton came in with intent to score and hit a few well timed drives, but when Russell (14) departed, bowled by Norman, and the score of 58-4 it was always going to be difficult, even though the visitors had kept to the rate for the first 15 overs.

Whatton was joined by Choudary and together they moved the score biskly to 71 before Norman cleaned Whatton up for 14. Jem Warner was immediately introduced as Smith strode to the crease, and not long in to his debut spell he had Smith caught by King for 4.

Both Rutlands came and went quickly, both bowled by the now on fire Norman (7-2-14-4) before Warner, in what was later voted the day’s “Champagne Moment”, who had drawn Choudary down the track with earlier flight, this time pushed one down a bit quicker which turned square away from the bat and in to Lewis Kirby’s grateful gloves for an easy stumping.

Warner finished his debut Sat 1st XI game with another wicket, this time Pack who swung wildly at one and top edged to Kirby, ending with very fine figures of 4-0-7-3 – a fantastic way to introduce oneself in to First XI cricket! Bournemouth all out for 83.

This comprehensive win against the Division One leaders for the last 7 weeks was not only well-deserved, but also a very timely one which will remind the Swans that their season so far of P6 W5 L1 (and a long term run of P29 W24 L5) is no fluke but borne from hard work on their disciplines; dedication and passion towards their club; and their ability to stare difficulties in the face without shirking.

Swanage host Sherborne next Saturday in the last game of the season’s half, and after Sherborne thrashed Marnhull this weekend the Swans can be certain that the old enemy from the North will be very keen to put a dampener on their season’s aspirations.

However, Swanage are playing very good cricket currently, and if they bring their A-game to this fixture only an excellent team blessed with generous amounts of luck on the day will be able to handle their heat.

SHERBORNE HOME – 30 June 2012

RYAN NORMAN IS IRRESISTABLE AS SWANAGE CRUSH OLD FOE SHERBORNE BY 100-RUNS

Man of the Match, Ryan Norman, was at his destructive best with both bat and ball on Saturday as Swanage maintained their position in Dorset Saturday Division One with a fantastic win against old enemies Sherborne.

Sherborne skipper, Richie Carter, won the toss and inserted Swanage in to bat on a decent track – typically “Swanage”, but very well prepared and with a good layer of grass.

Young Matt Thomas and the experienced Mike Nash opened up for the hosts and both played some sparkling shots against the seam of opener Durston at the Football End and the spin from P Hancock from the Pavilion End.

Nash was first down with the score on 49, out LBW to Durston for 17. Skipper Booth entered the fray and knuckled down with Thomas to get the home side to 81 before Thomas (37) pulled the first ball of Singleton’s spell straight to Hancock at midwicket to bring his innings to an untimely end.

Ricky King entered the arena but found boundaries hard to come by. He did, however, run well with Booth to put on a quick fire 46 before being bowled by a superb inswinging yorker by Harris for 14.

Paul Higham (6) came and went fairly quickly before Baczala and Booth moved the scoreboard serenely to 190. Booth, however, went for one too many bongo attempts in the 45th and was finally bowled by Singleton for a hard-earned 72.

Enter Ryan Norman and his 3lbs 6 ozs bat which would have given IVA Richards wrist injuries. In the space of just 4 overs he and Baczala (18*) shifted the momentum completely in to the Swanage camp, with Norman smoking the bowling to all parts of Day’s Park in a 17-ball “smash and grab” 38. Swanage 237-5 at tea.

After an excellent tea – our deepest gratitude to Missuses Clark, Yeates and Smith – the Swans attack took the the field with their sights set solely on 10 wickets and 20 points.

King and Higham opened the attack and bowled with control and pace. King (7-1-19-1) struck first with the score on just 19, dismissing visiting captain Carter via a good catch by young Jem Warner at mid-on.

L Hancock and opener Lock worked hard to get the score to 49 before the introduction of Ryan Norman from his now favoured Football Ground End. Norman struck quickly, bowling Hancock (7) and Tanswell (2) in quick succession leaving Sherborne in trouble at 67-4. Soon thereafter, Sherborne’s main batter Lock was bowled by Baczala at the Pavilion End and then Norman clean bowled Singleton leaving the visitors a long way adrift on 98-6. Durston was desperate for some help from his lower order, but sadly it was not forthcoming.

Steve Ramsay was introduced after Warner’s spell (6-1-24-0) was unsuccessful and almost immediately he had success, bowling Fricker first and then enticing M Hancock into a lofted shot to Booth at mid-off. With the score on 122, Durston (30) smoked one to midwicket off Ramsay (5-0-16-3) in to Ricky King’s waiting hands.

The last pair battled out another 15 runs before Higham (9.1-1-27-1) returned and took an excellent caight and bowled to dismiss Barnstable (3) and clean Sherborne up for 137 in 45.1 overs.

But it was Ryan Norman’s excellent spell in the middle overs that tore the heart out of Sherborne as he collected another set of fantastic figures to end the day: 10-2-21-4.

Swanage have enjoyed an excellent first half of the season, their only disappointment away to league leaders Bere Regis. The third placed Swans, who have P7 W6 L1, entertain Shroton at Days Park next weekend knowing that 20 points from each game hereon in is a real must if they are to achieve their main ambition of playing Premier League Cricket in 2013.

Broadstone 2nds Away – 14th July 2012

On a wet and misreable Saturday morning Ian Booth’s Swanage Saturday First XI travelled to The Delph to take on Broadstone 2nd XI in their latest Dorset Saturday Division One fixture.

The host’s ground was in remarkably good shape considering all the rain that had fallen, and they had done a great job to ensure a game would be possible. The Pavilion End straight boundary had been moved in to a few feet off the 30m circle giving the already small field a weird shape and an interesting playing condition problem for Booth to grapple with.

News filtered through that the Broadstone 1st XI had been cancelled away at Weymouth’s Redlands and when the team cards were submitted to the umpires Booth noted four regular 1st XI players coming in to the side. Only four players from the earlier fixture at Day’s Park in May were making an appearance which now gave the game a different spin.

The visiting skipper won the toss and elected to bowl. Steve Ramsay and Ricky King caused havoc to the Broadstone top-order and soon Swanage had them 50-5. However, the hosts had kept their experienced 1st XI players for the middle- and lower-order and a superb 70-run sixth wicket partnership, coupled with Swanage falling asleep a bit and some big hits late in the innings, allowed Broadstone to post a competitive 159-9.

Swanage now battled against some excellent seam bowling from Broadstone 1st XI captain Greg Parsons and the evergreen Abbott, who both put Swanage under pressure by giving nothing away as well as removing Nash early. The two 1st XI spinners, Rimmer and Spragg, took over and dismissed Thomas and Booth whilst continuing to dry up runs. Ricky King and Lewis Kirby, however, steadied the ship and batted with confidence and patience, getting Swanage to 120-4 with 8 overs to go. Unfortunately, both King and Kirby were both out in quick succession shortly thereafter (King out for an excellent 49), and with the return of Parsons at the death Swanage lost composure and too many wickets to finally be stranded 6 runs short with 2 wickets in hand.

With Swanage’s taking 10 points in a disappoining loss, and their nearest rivals being washed off, the exercise was well worthwhile but nonetheless disappointing. The Swans have lost their second game of the campaign but made a 5 point net gain leaving them now just one point behind Bournemouth and eight points behind Bere Regis with seven games to play.

Hamworthy Cricket Club Home – 23rd July 2012

On Saturday, Ian Booth’s men took on Hamworthy Cricket Club at Day’s Park on a good track, firmed up by the dry weather the area had experienced over the previous week.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Booth and Thomas posted 104 for the first wicket in good time, Thomas departing just before drinks for a glittering 54, caught and bowled by Staddon. Ricky King joined Booth and together they continued to knock it about in an enterprising stand of 53 before Booth was also caught and bowled for 58 in the 41st over with the board reading 157. Ben Baczala and King pushed the score to 191 before King was cleaned up for 41, followed shortly by Baczala, well caught at midwicket for 25. Ashley King (4*) and Ryan Norman (15*) added a further 23 runs in quick time allowing Swanage to post a competitive 218-4 off 50 overs.

The visitors started well against some fine bowling from Ricky King (3-22) and the the luckless Norman and Baczala, getting to 92-1 off 27 overs before Jem Warner struck a great blow to grab the second wicket, caught at short fine leg.

Booth struck quickly twice thereafter to reduce the visitors to 94-4 before starting to spin a sticky web of destruction with his leg-spin partner Warner, who bowled superbly to register excellent figures of 1-20 off his 10 overs. Booth cashed in on his bowling partner’s spell to run through the Hamworthy middle-order to take 6-37 off 10 overs, leaving the visitors bowled out for just 148 and Swanage winners by 70 runs.

Marnhull Away 28th July 2012

BACZALA BROS. ROADSHOW GUIDES SWANAGE TO FINE VICTORY AWAY TO MARNHULL

“Give me a crisis, I have a loaded Baczala in my hand” – Ian Booth – 28 July 2012

Swanage’s Saturday 1st XI travelled deep in to North Dorset on Saturday in a crunch game against lowly Marnhull who are always tough opponents at their delightful home ground.

Swanage were missing five key players in this fixture, but the riches of their youth section allowed skipper Ian Booth the luxury of still selecting a strong, albeit relatively inexperienced side, with no fewer than four under-16 players making the trip, Todd Stephens making his Saturday First XI debut. And as it turned out these youthful selections did not disappoint.

The hosts won the toss on a belter track and a lightning outfield, electing to bat first.

Swanage opened up with Ryan Norman and Ben Baczala who both bowled well to Marnhull’s experienced openers, Horn and Elsworth. Norman struck first with the score on 27, bowling Horn. The introduction of young Elliot Baczala – just 15-years old – paid immediate dividends as he trapped both Elsworth and Andy Booth LBW, reducing the hosts to 31-3. Young was also adjudged LBW by Ben Baczala (8-3-13-2) shortly thereafter with the score on 42, but wizened Barry Lewis and Marnhull skipper Sweatman rebuilt, and quickly, to 120 before Jem Warner bamboozled Sweatman with flight and the host skipper could only meekly pat the ball back for an easy caught and bowled offering.

With the score on 129-5 Elliott Baczala (10-0-43-3) struck again, trapping Lewis LBW. Warner (10-1-41-1) continued to wield away with his excellent leg-spin while Booth rotated the bowling at the other end between Ali Booth (8-0-37-0) and Norman (10-2-30-2).

A fantastic direct hit from Warner brought further controversy as Williams was run out creating a moody atmosphere. With all this aggression around Swanage had to remain composed and stuck well to their guns to restrict Marnhull to 197-9 off their 50 overs.

After a typically brilliant Marnhull tea, Swanage took to the field against some hostile bowling from Sweatman who was making the ball talk. He picked up four wickets in his ten over spell, accounting for Mike Thomas LBW (7), Mike Nash caught and bowled (6), Ian Booth LBW (13) and Dan Salmon LBW (8). By the time the 20th over had been bowled and Sweatman had bowled out, Swanage were 89-4 so the run rate was never a problem.

Ben Baczala and Jem Warner (27) now constructed a fantastic counter-attack rattling away at 6 runs and over as they pressed on to 141 in an 87-run stand before Warner, who was looking in sublime form, succumbed to an off-stump Yorker from Marnhull’s Andy Booth, which brought Ashley “Hashim Amla” King to the wicket, fresh from his maiden adult ton the day before against touring side Old Minchendenians. Together, he and Baczala (79*) guided the Swans to victory by 5 wickets and over 10 overs to spare, Ash King finishing unbeaten on 24.

Swanage maintain their position third in the pack behind leaders Bere Regis, who are six points ahead, and Bournemouth, who are two points ahead, yet 49 points ahead of their closest rivals in Broadstone 2nds in fourth. Swanage entertain Branksome next Saturday at Days Park in what should be another good game of cricket.

Branksome Home 4th August 2012

With Branksome only fielding seven players the visitors elected to bat and were bowled out for just 41 at Days Park on Saturday.

Ian Booth picked up 4-4 and Steve Ramsay 2-20 before Mike Nash (13*) and Matt Thomas (23*) finished the game in just 5.4 overs.

Bournemouth suffered their fourth defeat of the campaign allowing Swanage to climb up in to second spot, still just six points adrift of Bere Regis and 12 points ahead of Bournemouth, with the rest of the pack well behind.

Swanage travel away to Corfe Mullen needing 20 points before going in to the season’s crunch game at home to Bere Regis on 18th August 2012.

Corfe Mullen Away 11th August 2012

HERNANDEZ SHINES BRIGHTLY ON DEBUT BEFORE KING AND BACZALA RIP OUT THE TOP-ORDER AND BOOTH AND WARNER GET THE “SQUEEZE” GOING AS SWANAGE CHARGE TO A CONVINCING VICTORY AWAY TO CORFE MULLEN

Once again, due to a couple of unavailabilities, Swanage travelled away with four under-16 players, including debutant Mike Hernandez, who had been quietly knocking on the door for some time on the back of some fine batting performances for the Swanage Saturday 2nd XI and his Dorset youth side.

After wracking up almost 300 runs in the home fixture Swans skipper Ian Booth was pleasantly surprised to be asked to bat when host skipper Stannard won the toss. But perhaps the home skipper knew something visiting Booth didn’t?

After a bright and breezy start from Matt Thomas and Mike Hernandez, the first signs of why Stannard may have bowled first showed when Shilton had Thomas caught behind by Walpole for 21 as the ball reared off a good length like a startled black mamba in the African veld to take Thomas’ retreating glove.

Booth and Hernandez kept the scoreboard ticking in an enterprising partnership of 57 before Booth (25) was bowled around his legs by Flooks on the 25-over drinks mark with the scoreboard reading 92-2.

Flooks had a caught behind off Hernandez turned down and suddenly the tempertaure in the oven was ratcheted up on the young debutant. Ricky King and Ben Baczala lost their wickets cheaply and suddenly Swanage had slumped a bit to 102-4.

Hernandez was joined by Dorset pal Jem Warner who instantly looked good, playing a couple of sparkling shots to get Swanage up to 137 before Warner (18) was out LBW to Stannard.

Unfortunately, Hernandez not only lost his partner but also his concentration for the very first time a few balls later – in the 37th over – attempting a quick single but being run out for a fantastic 59. An innings he should remember for some time given he was on debut and the wringer he had to endure after the caught behind appeal refusal when he was on 44.

Lewis Kirby played a vital knock in the middle-order, highlighting the asset he is coming in down the order, before being caught in front of the wickets, LBW to Stannard for 17.

The Swanage tail wagged well as Norman (10) and Mike Wells (20*) got the visitors to 194-9 off their 50 overs.

After tea Ricky King and Ben Baczala came out with fire in their bellies, still visably upset by Hernandez’s ordeal, but channelling that emotion in to a devestating opening spell as they ripped in to the hosts’ top order.

Baczala trapped Williams LBW for 1 before King clean bowling Stannard for 2 leaving Corfe Mullen 9-2. Baczala (10-1-34-2) was steaming in now and he bowled Creswell for 1 before King (8-1-23-2) accouted for Walpole, LBW for 19.

With the scoreboard reading 34-4 Booth introduced his first-change bowlers. The ball had sadly lost all of its integrity and shine which allowed the hosts’ middle order to settle in. Jem Warner however kept his head and patience and rid the Swans of the stubborn Flooks (21) just before drinks: 102-5.

After drinks Swanage got the “squeeze” going with Booth and Warner starting to put the pressure on. Hoar (19) was caught behind by Kirby off Warner with the score on 108 before Booth enticed Webster in to a airshot straight back to him, caught and bowled for 7.

Ben Bolt (0) was again beguiled in to his own dismissal, LBW to Warner (10-2-34-3) before an awesome direct from Ryan Norman at cover ran Triplow out for a duck and Corfe Mullen had lost four wickets for just one run.

The Corfe tail wagged a bit with the old ball and returning seamers but the writing was already on the wall and Ryan Norman (4.2-0-24-1) finished off proceedings bowling Shilton for a gritty 20.

Corfe Mullen 151 all out. Swanage victors by 43 runs.

Bere Regis Home – 18th August 2012

On Saturday the much anticipated clash of the Saturday Division One titans lived up to its hype as visitors Bere Regis and hosts Swanage slugged it out on a slow pitch which yielded 270 runs for 18 wickets and a nail-biting finish.

Bere Regis were inserted in to bat on a damp wicket, which had surprised everyone arriving early to the ground – the previous nights’ heavy dew unable to evaporate under the grey clouds and windless day at Days Park.

A fine all-round bowling and fielding effort restricted the Green Berets to 136 off 48 overs, with the trio of leg-spinner Jem Warner (4-32), ball-bender Steve Ramsay (2-32) and off-spinner Ian Booth (2-28) tearing apart the visitors’ middle- and lower-order after they had got to 69-1.

Swanage had to work hard against very disciplined bowling from the visitors, their three spinners also finding the conditions to their liking. Booth (42) and Nash (24) had gritted out a majority of the reply when Booth fell at 97-3. Nash can consider this one of his finest efforts ever in a Swanage shirt and his disappointment of getting out at 113-5 was palpable.

The unrelenting pressure from Bere thereafter caused a flurry of quick wickets as Swanage slumped to 122-6 and then 124-7. However, when Ash “As Cool as Hashim” King joined Ryan Norman at 132-8, Swanage needed 5 runs off 6 balls. Ask King charged down the wicket and promptly popped visiting skipper Rogerson over mid-off, before repeating the act on the penultimate ball to lead Swanage to sweet victory in the closest of games.

Swanage now take pole position in Dorset Saturday Division One, just five points clear of Bere and two fixtures to play. Next week Swanage play Bournemouth away, but given Bournemouth have scratched their last two games only time will tell to see if Swanage must make the visit to Chapel Gate or not. Whatever the outcome, Swanage must ensure 40 points are taken in the next two weeks which will keep them in the top spot and utlimately lead them to the Championship.

Bournemouth Away – 25th August 2012

Ian Booth’s Saturday First XI took a positive step towards Dorset Saturday Division One glory on Saturday away to Bournemouth at the lovely Chapel Gate. Whilst late rain showers dashed other teams’ hopes, Swanage managed to complete their game, winning convincingly by 167 runs and gaining 20 points in the process.

Bournemouth won the toss and elected to field. Mike Nash and Matt Thomas duly accepted the challenge and got on with their jobs in a serene partnership of 87 before Thomas was stumped for 47 in the 24th over.

Skipper Booth joined pal Nash and they played watchful cricket against two good young spinners before pressing the bongo button. In the last 11 overs these two put 100 runs on the board as Swanage amassed 269-1, with Nash (90*) and Booth (105*) both undefeated.

Bournemouth’s reply stuttered from the onset as they lost wickets with regularity against some fine swing bowling from Ricky King (1-17) and Steve Ramsay (3-20) and the seam of Ryan Norman (3-23) and Ben Baczala (1-21). Jem Warner (2-17) found the conditions tough but still bowled with skill and patience.

A heavy shower when Bournemouth were 74-6 threatened to end the game prematurely, but not an hour later the teams were back on the pitch and it didn’t take long for Swanage to mop up the tail, bowling their opponents out for 102.

Swanage travel to Sherborne next Saturday knowing that 6 points will guarantee them Dorset Premier League Cricket in 2013 and the sweet taste of consecutive championships.

Sherborne Away 1st September 2012

SWANAGE CC MAKE HISTORY AS 2012 TEAM GUIDES THE CLUB IN TO THE DORSET SATURDAY PREMIER LEAGUE

Ben Baczala and Lewis Kirby saved their best efforts for the last game of the season, away to the picturesque Terrace in Sherborne, in a match-winning seventh-wicket partnership of 64 runs to give Swanage three batting points and a defendable target (158-8) to bowl at.

Swanage’s bowlers then all shared in a fantastic bowling effort to ensure 18 points were placed in the kit bags and the Dorset Saturday Division One Championship secured in Ian Booth’s back-pocket for safe keeping for the long trip back home from North Dorset.

Sherborne’s skipper Richie Carter won the toss and on a damp deck under a grey sky inserted Swanage in to bat.

Mike “It’s been a journey” Nash and Matt “Jonny B” Thomas opened up the innings for the Swans against the always-dangerous Sherborne veteren Andy Nurton.

Nurton bowled an absolute peach to Nash early on which pitched on middle and clipped the top of Nash’s off-stump for a duck bringing Booth to the crease. Booth and Thomas worked hard against the openers before Booth (5) was trapped LBW bringing Mike “Is that something in his eye?” Wells to the crease.

Thomas continued to keep the rate ticking as Wells settled in, only for Wells to be done by a bad ball that should have been dispatched but was hit in the air to point to be dismissed for 9.

Enter Ben “Ian Terence” Baczala, still shaking like a leaf after Nash had spent half-an-hour explaining what a beauty Nurton’s ball had been earlier, further exacerbated by his BLOB RACE demons driving him up the wall.

Twenty-six long balls later and with John Nash nodding off, Baczala managed to get himself off his blob but sadly could not coincide this Herculean mental breakthrough with Thomas’ strokeplay as Matt “No woman, no cry” Thomas – in a moment of Syndrome Madness – got cleaned up by Sherborne’s answer to the Anglo-Saxon Joel Garner, Dave Barnstable.

Ricky “Shaving Gel. Check” King popped in for a little partnership with Baczala and was looking solid if not his normal fluent self before Big Bird Barnstable bowled one full to King, which hit the Bird’s left big toe of his size 37 spikes in his follow through, and did enough off the boot straps to disturb King’s stumps.

Swanage had worked hard, yet lost wickets, and were now 89-6 off 37 overs as Lewis Kirby, rudely awoken from his siesta after a heavy night of “snooker and darts”, managed to find his way to the crease, still rubbing sleep from his eyes.

Kirby, last year’s winner of the BLOB RACE, and Baczala, last year’s winner of the “Nursing Award”, now set about setting up what would turn out to be their finest hour together as they consolidated, rebuilt and then counter-attacked with aplomb, moving the score serenely from 89 to 153 within 10 overs.

Whilst constructing this gem of a cameo, word had reached the Swans that rivals Bere Regis had only taken 6 wickets away to Broadstone Seconds, meaning Swanage just needed 4 points to guarantee the title. With Swanage passing 150 and 3 points, Baczala and Kirby’s seventh-wicket partnership now looked decidedly league-winning and not just match-changing.

In the final over, with Baczala off-strike on 49, Kirby (27) smashed Nurton over square leg before trying to sweep and off-stump ball and being cleaned up.

Hashim Amla, coming in at nine, now had four balls to get Zala on strike to try and get his half-century and proceeded to show the fine defensive skills shown all summer against the hapless England bowling attack before realising the context and scrambling a single off the penultimate ball. Baczala, sadly, was run out one shy of a deserved fifty not out but Swanage had posted a defendable total and now needed just two wickets for a point and Championship glory.

After tea, Ricky “Clippers. Check” King opened up and tempted a drive off the first ball that flew through Booth’s hands in gully. Ben “Nursing a shaven head is always more difficult than a hairy one” Baczala consoled his skipper by patting him on the back and reminding him that that was the Tea Book, but Booth made amends snaffling a good catch off Steve “Nooooo run there” Ramsay who opened up from the other end and then reminding Baczala that Nash’s duck had already tied the Tea Book and noted down his pal’s insubordination in the now growing Fines Book.

Glory came soon after as Ricky “Razor. Check” King cleaned up the other opener and Zala’s nursing became stuff of Florence Nightingale legend.

Wickets were shared around during the afternoon, but the most vital one was a superb catch at backward point by King off Zala to dismiss Nurton. King had flatly refused two chances off his own bowling but done right in the end with this fine effort.

Elliott “Look Dad, I can touch my knees” Baczala bowled superbly with little reward, while Jem “Homer – no, not the Greek poet Homer … the philosopher Homer Simpson” Warner and Booth spun their normal webs in the later middle overs before Booth fittingly got the last wicket to bowl Sherborne out for 128.

Word then came in that Bere Regis had lost at The Delph meaning Swanage had won the league by a margin of 28 points, P15 W13 L2 and a long term record of P38 W33 L5 since their turnaround away to Wimborne & Colehill Seconds halfway through the 2010 season.

At the awards evening Ian Booth picked up the Batsman’s Award for his 529 runs @ 48.1. Ricky “Aftershave balm for those delicate places. Check” King picked up the Bowler’s Award for his 19 wickets @ 14.85. Lewis “All that duck made me sick last year” Kirby showed his skills behind the stumps, giving away only 17 byes all season (5 in the last match) and improved immeasurably up to the stumps dealing with Booth’s filthy leg side wides and Warner’s tweak. In 2012 he was again voted Swans 1st XI Fielder of the Year.

Other notable performances came from talisman Ben “Boom Boom” Baczala, who scored 317 runs @ 39.6 and took 23 wickets at 12.15, his finest performances 6-30 against Branksome, and two match-winning knocks away to Marnhull and Sherborne.

Mike “Different level” Nash scored two sublime fifties over the season opening up, and his gritty match-changing knock against Bere Regis at home illustrated his high-value. His innings away to Bournemouth where he smoked 90* will be remembered firstly for its application early on and then sparkle in the latter overs.

Matt “Boothie, where’s that tin pal?” Thomas was the cornerstone upon which Swanage’s innings was routinely built and he enjoyed a fantastic season back at the home of Purbeck cricket amassing 451 runs @ 32.2. His 129 against Corfe Mullen was a thing of beauty and he always allowed the innings to get off at a tempo that took pressure off every one of his batting partners over the season.

Lewis “Fois gras? No thanks pals. Norms?” Kirby has been a gift from the gods since his return last year and his skills behind the stumps were matched with some fabulous cameo knocks down the order averaging 21.8 with the bat – a better Banker at eight one will not find.

He was ably supported down the order by Ashley “Lucas Aid” King, who shone brightly in the field and on two occasions with the bat to win games: away to Marnhull and at home to Bere Regis. Hashim will play a vital role next year as Swanage take on the top dogs in Dorset cricket and we look forward to seeing him early next May.

Ryan Norman came back to the Swans after a few season’s absence and his and his wonderful family’s return has been gladly welcomed. Norms’ banter was filthier than Booth’s leg-side bowling but he backed it up with a fine season’s bowling, picking up 20 wickets @ 15.10. Few people who watched his bongo antics at home to Sherborne with his 3lbs 6ozs railway sleeper will quickly forget that little cameo.

Steve Ramsay, often indecipherable without a Babel fish, enjoyed another superb season of cricket for the Swans, picking up 21 wickets at an outstanding average of 10.48 runs per wicket (only pipped by Booth’s 23 wickets at 10.22) with his deliveries that kept Ariel in business with all that nursing by chum Ben Baczala in the slips.

Youngsters Jem Warner, Elliott Baczala, Mike Haines, Mike Hernandez and Todd Stephens all gained invaluable Swanage 1st XI experience, with Jem and Elliott shining with the ball particularly. Mike Haines’ fielding was a different level all season and Mike Hernandez’s fifty away to Corfe Mullen on debut was a true testament to his temperament. Jem’s innings away to Marnhull was simply superb and it is a blessing to the club to have such riches in their youth.

Even Mike “I am sure there’s something in that poor lads’ eye” Wells, omnipresent in Swanage’s Division Two glory in 2011, made several important appearances during the summer and was a calming influence when times were fraught.

Scorer Pete “I score enough runs on a Saturday to worry about runs on a Sunday” Dyer was a stalwart once again, giving up of his time and scoring expertise unfailingly each and every week. It is even rumoured that he cracked a smile in the game at home to Hamworthy CC but evidence is proving difficult to obtain. He is held in the highest regard and the players’ affection for their PD knows no bounds.

During the season Swanage employed these 15 fine cricketers as part of a squad system, with players enjoying success not only for the 1st XI, but also for David “Desmond” Haines’ Championship winning 2nd XI when not selected for the 1st XI. This kind of consistent availability and commitment will not be shown on any averages table, but will remain one of the most important factors in the success this side enjoyed in 2012.

A truly successful and happy season. Bring on 2013!