2014 season

The Saturday 1st XI finished 5th in Premier Division One having won 11 of their 18 games. The highlight of the batting was Ian Booth’s century at Ferndown, as well as his four half-centuries which secured him the Batsman Of The Year Award. Ben Baczala, Francis Kerins, Dan Salmon, Mike Salmon and Matt Thomas also registered half-centuries. The highlight of the bowling was Jem Warner’s two 5 wicket-hauls against Wimborne – which secured him the Bowler Of The Year Award. Rob Hatchard (twice), Booth, Ricky King, Mike Hernandez and Warner have also taken 4 wicket-hauls. Ricky King’s exceptional athleticism and fantastic catching helped him secure the Fielder Of The Year Award.


9th 10th August
On Saturday, Swanage 1stXI played host to Wimborne in their latest Premier Division One clash. Wimborne batted first and were soon under pressure due to some exceptional seam bowling by Mike Hernandez and Ryan Norman – who took 3 quick wickets to reduce the visitors to 25-3. The pressure was maintained on the visitors by Ricky King and Ian Booth who both claimed a brace of wickets as Swanage continued to take wickets at regular intervals. There was no ‘let-up’ for the visitors lower-order when Mike Nash was introduced into the attack – he bowled excellent medium-pace ‘off-cutters’ to also take a brace of wickets to help reduce the visitors to a below-par score of 167.

In reply, Swans recovered from the loss of an early wicket with a brilliant half-century partnership between Mike Salmon and Ian Booth. Salmon played some powerful cover drives before being removed for 38. However, Booth remained until shortly before the end with a sublime innings of 58 – which included the perfect mix of both solid defence and sensational stroke-play to take the hosts to the brink of victory. Despite the loss of 2 further quick wickets, the hosts reached their target with 4 wickets to spare to consolidate their position in fifth place.

31 May
The Saturday 1st XI got back to winning ways in their Premiership campaign with a close victory over Wimborne at Days Park. Batting first, the visitors totalled 154, with Rob Hatchard (4 for 28), Ricky King (2 for 12 – 6 maidens) and Steve Ramsey (23 runs from his 10 overs) the pick of the bowlers. Swanage’s reply was led by Matt Thomas (42), Mike Salmon (32) and an excellent 14 from Ricky King which sealed the victory, together with Mike Hernandez, with only a ball to spare. League Position 3rd.

17th May
In reply, the visitors were soon in trouble against some fantastic seam bowling by the in-form pair of Elliott Baczala and King. Baczala took 3 wickets and when leg-spin ‘sensation’ Warner came into the attack and also claimed 3 quick wickets the visitors were reeling at 55-6. However, at this point, the visiting captain played a brilliant innings, mixing solid defence with some expansive cover drives and along with some wayward bowling as the Swans attack strived so hard for a crucial break through without any success, the visitors were able to reach their victory target with the loss of only 1 further wicket. This was a particularly disappointing reversal for Swanage especially after their momentous win against the Champions the previous weekend, Booth’s team needs to keep working hard and focus on the challenges which lie ahead.On Saturday, Swanage played host to Weymouth in their latest Premier Division encounter on a blisteringly hot day. Upon winning the toss Ian Booth had no hesitation in batting first in perfect conditions, however, the visitors opening bowlers performed magnificently reducing Swans to 8-3 and then the even more precarious position of 40-6. The innings was given some respectability by a partnership between 2 of Swan’s young-stars Jem Warner and Ricky King. King fell for an enterprising 21, however, Warner remained defiant playing some ‘classy’ shots to finish unbeaten on 33 to allow Swans to post 118-9 – which at least gave their bowling attack something to try to defend.