Sunday 2nd 2013

7th July – A scorching hot day at Parley was matched by a scorching match as 529 runs was scored in just under 80 overs – with Swanage coming out on top after scoring 300-7 to pick up maximum points against the league leaders. The mainstay of the Swanage innings was a masterly knock of 85 from Pete Barker who put on 98 with Dan White who stroked an elegant 42. Pete Dyer and Roger Wilcox then rolled back the years with breezy knocks of 52 and 26 respectfully as the Swans racked up their imposing score. The Parley reply however started like an express train as 40 came up in only 3 overs as the Swans quicker bowlers struggled to find a rhythm. However Ryan White then nipped one back to claim first blood at 44-1. A positive partnership of 80 then followed and some chances came and went in the heat. However, a change in fortunes followed the introduction of Terry White and Ron Barker as with the run rate steadily climbing to 10 an over more chances were offered and this time they were taken. Roger Wilcox belied his years with a tumbling catch in the deep and Ron “Buckets” Barker snaffled a chance at short mid on to keep the pressure on at 198-5. Scott McCann then found movement to grab a further wicket but it was Wiley Wilcox who grabbed 3-21 to get the Swans over the line to dismiss Parley for 229 with only 3 over’s remaining.

30th June – A magnificent bowling performance helped the Sunday 2nds defend a modest 137 at Witchampton on Sunday and to win by 7 runs. Peter Barker (2-22), Devasia Benoy (1-16) and Mathew Jobi (3-11) all bowled with great control with Jobi obtaining both swing and lift at great pace to unsettle and then remove the dangerous Westacott for 23. Ron Barker (2-27) and Terry White (1-30) then showed just what ‘dob’ can do to help take wickets at key times. However, a few nervous moments still had to be endured before Scott McCann snared last man in front with the penultimate ball of the innings. Earlier in the day McCann struck a powerful 31 to help rescue the Swans from the early loss of Barker (bowled playing down the wrong line) and Wells (bowled off the pads) and together with Dan White (32) , Jobi (26) and Pete Dyer (11) they proved to the backbone of the Swans innings as the lower order collapsed with 4 wickets falling for 5 runs to leave Morton on 8no. This was a tough match for batsmen with the conditions and wicket favouring the bowlers and it was fortunately that the Swans had a little more depth in this department. That said hosts’ Cockwell did well and ended with 5-11.

9th June – Swanage Sunday 2nd’s overcame a terrible start in their match against table topping Stalbridge at Days Park on Sunday when losing their first 4 wickets with only 10 runs on the board. However, Ashley King’s mature innings of 60, backed up by Pete Dyer’s steady 26 proved to the backbone of the Swan’s recovery as the hosts reached a credible 213 -9 and then went on to win the match by 12 runs. Ricky King (37*) and Terry White (25*) also combined in an unbeaten last wicket stand of 52 to ensure that tea tasted so much sweeter. However, the Stalbridge openers quickly set about their task and with 15 overs gone had racked up 75 for no loss. However, the shy McCann nabbed a wicket just before the drinks break and with Ricky King bowling aggressively to grab a brace, the pressure swung back on the batsmen. Terry White and Pete Barker however, then proved to be unplayable, grabbing 3 wickets a piece as Stalbridge fatally faltered.

2 June – Sunday 2nd XI v Symene (A) Won by 119 runs

A fantastic 94 from Scott McCann on his Swanage debut stole the show as the Swans ran up a formidable 224-4 in their 40 overs to beat hosts Symene (105 ao) by 119 runs. Scott’s knock was peppered by a series of boundaries with 9 massive sixes flying over the mid wicket boundary and this was backed up by 7 fours; each shot played with an ease that showed both power and timing on what was really a slow track. That he failed to reach a well deserved hundred was a shame to all but can be put down to the fact that he was unselfishly looking for quick runs and going for another maximum in the penultimate over. However, this dominance only came about after Mike Wells (47) and Peter Barker (31) put on 72 for the first wicket in 15 overs, each having to overcome a slow start before themselves hitting out. But, by the time Scott was in full flow, Dan White (39) had joined him at the crease and was playing his own shots all around the wicket as the Symene bowlers tired.

After a wonderful tea at this picturesque ground Ryan Norman and Ryan White condemned the hosts to a slow start as both bowled with pace to pick up identical 1-19’s. Terry White continued the good work by pick-pocketing a 3-22 but it was the unintentional variety from Peter Richards that caused the real damage as he grabbed a 4-29 to leave Symene on the edge of defeat. It was therefore fitting that he took a good catch of Peter Barker to end the game. Dan and Ryan White also picked up good catches as did Roger Wilcox at a very long on whereas Peter Barker’s attempt at a modest skyer could only be described as Tillmanesque! In all however a grand day out.

26th May Swanage 2nd XI v Sturminster (A) Lost by 60runs

This proved to be a slightly surreal game which involved a late start courtesy of 3 missing Swans (and thanks here go to hosts Sturminster for being prepared to field substitutes) and the curiosity of two Sturminster batsmen both having runners at the same time and yet still trying to limp singles! However this can not hide a disappointing batting performance by the Swans which consigned themselves to a heavy defeat after being bowled out for 95 chasing 155. Although it is fair to say that the pitch was greenish and offered some help to the bowlers most of the Swans batsmen perished by playing rash shots to straight balls with Hookings (4-29) being the main beneficiary. The notable exception to this however was Matt Beard (26) who picked off the bad balls better than most though Pete Dyer (15), Mike Wells (14), Peter Barker (12) all reached double figures. It was however a poor effort which undermined Barker’s wonderful miserly opening spell with the ball of 8 overs for a paltry 10 runs and Roger Wilcox’s (2-9) cameo. Unfortunately though, and with the benefit of hindsight, there proved to be too many short balls bowled by the Swans attack which were leapt upon and struck for 4 by the hosts. However, despite this disappointing reverse there was one highlight in the field when ‘keeper Wells showed some quick thinking to trot around the dangerous Cornell to pick up the ball and stump him when he was flat footed and being deafened by an LBW appeal from Barker. A small consolation though.

19th May Swanage 2nd XI v Blandford (H) Match cancelled

There really isn’t anything as frustrating to a cricketer than having to watch a steady drizzle fall mid morning whilst trying to second guess what the wind direction and weather would be doing some 4- 6 hours later in the Swanage micro-climate. But, it all became too much and the match was eventually cancelled.

Sunday League Division 3 – 2nd XI v Parley 5th May (H) Lost by 5 wickets

Although the Sunday 2nd XI lost by 5 wickets against a strong Parley XI they put on a credible showing against a team comprising of at least 6 Premiership players. Winning the toss and batting first Mike Wells and Peter Barker put on 40 for the first wicket when Barker (12) chipped one to mid wicket. Matt Beard (12) then batted positively before being deceived by a slower ball but it was Wells (36), Peter Dyer (28) and Roger Wilcox (26) who provided the mainstay of the batting though debutant Matthew Joby (18) also shone. The Swans eventually reached 180 all out having just failed to bat out all their overs. The Parley reply was then kept in check by a hostile opening spell from Matt Beard (1-40)and Devasia Benoy (2-48), who clean bowled the Parley century maker from Saturday in his first over. A diving catch from Matt Forbes then kept up the pressure as the visitors progressed watchfully to 80-3. Ryan White and Matthew Joby (2-23) continued to press but Nippard (59) and Green (45) continued to grow in confidence and showed their quality to see Parley home. On a positive note the game marked Mike Wells’ debut as wicket keeper and he was overjoyed to retain all his fingers and thumbs at the end of the game.

Sunday League Division 3 – 2nd XI v Winton 12th May (A) – Won by 4 runs

The Sunday 2nds endured a nail biting finish in the gloom against Winton but edged the game by the narrow margin of 4 runs as the hosts just failed to chase down the Swans score of 178-5. Given the puddinesque (?) nature of the wicket and the overcast and windy weather conditions both team applied themselves well in the circumstances but the difference proved to be the Swans bowling and fielding as wickets and catches were taken at key stages to keep Winton’s push for victory in check.

When batting the Swans had to overcome the early lost of Pete Barker (4) and Matt Beard (12) before Mike Wells (36) and Tim Ives built a solid platform of 80-3 from which to launch a final 10 over assualt. This was then provided by Tim (45), Dan Beaston (7), Ryan White (21) and Matthew Jody (18) as runs came quickly against some loser bowling. A back foot drive over long off by Ryan for 6 and a screaming cover drive from Matthew proved to be the shots of the day but the sight of Pete Dyer (10*) sprinting 2’s whilst grabbing at an errant box still sadly sticks in the mind. The Swans momentum was then kept up with the ball as Matt Beard , Devasia Benoy (1-35) and Matthew Joby (1-27) bowled with good pace to keep Winton at 60-2 at drinks. The introduction of wiley old guards Wilcox (3-33) and White (2-29) maintained the pressure but even with the Swans taking good catches and Wilcox/Wells completing the sharp run out of the Winton skipper Madhu for a patient but promising 49 the game remained in the balance with Premier League player Hill (30) at the crease. Stress levels increased as the runs required dropped and the score board fluttered up and down but amongst the gloom, swirling wind and conversations Terry White kept his cool and managed to deny Hill the 8 required from the last two balls. A cracking game though the watching duck didn’t seem to notice!