Mixed Fortunes - 2016
The last game of the season saw the 1st XI playing at Dorchester, batting first, stand in captain Matt Thomas set a fine example making a quality 117no ably supported by fellow opener Mike wells 30. The home side, keen to end their campaign on a high, soon found the grit and determination of the Swanage team quite a formidable foe and never looked like getting the 213 required for victory. Another good performance by Swanage in the field meant it was the visitors who triumphed with Steve Kent's 3 wickets and the catching of Matt Thomas instrumental in the win.
Overall a very good season with the 1st XI finishing 8th in the Premier League and maintaining their position in Dorset's top flight. Both teams struggled with many of the key players not being available week in week out, this in turn meant the 2nd XI paid the price in their division.
The club finished very strong in all areas in the second half of the season and looks forward to a successful 2017. SCC would like to sincerely thank all those players, sponsors and the many behind the scenes volunteers, who continue to make the club a success each year.
20 Aug - Swanage 1st XI enjoyed an incredible contest at Days Park against championship chasing Wimborne. Despite an excellent effort by captain Ryan Norman (53), the home side could only muster 129 and looked to be heading for an early finish, such was the time, there were to be a further 30 mins play before the tea break could be taken. Even with such a paltry total to defend, Swanage's new style of aggressive fielding meant a shaky start for the visitors who lost 3 wickets in the pre-tea session.
After refuelling, Swanage's early momentum seemed to be lost as Wimborne steadied the ship and looked to be coasting towards a welcome victory, but once again Swange dug in with some good bowling, catching and fielding, reducing the nervous vistors to 110/9. Sadly it was not be as Swanage could not dismiss either of the final batsmen who must be commended for their play at the end of an incredible game of cricket.
13 Aug - Another special day for the Swans as both teams recorded excellent victories continuing the late season charge. The 1st XI took the long sunny trip to high flying Sherborne only to find a cool and rainy venue; when play finally started it was to be a shortened 45 over affair on a skiddy pitch. Losing the toss, Swanage were asked to field, but the decision looked to backfire as the dogged and aggressive fielding soon had the home side in trouble. Despite a smattering of dropped catches, Swanage never allowed the batsmen to settle and stuck to their task well, finally bowling out the home side for 149. Mike Hernandez 3/32 finally getting some rewards after another excellent performance with the ball, ably assisted by Ryan Norman, Ian Booth, Steve Kent, Pete Richards and Mike Nash.
Swanage were not to have it all their own way with the bat and a similar story was to unfold for the vistors, but solid batting from Matt Thomas 39 and Lewis Kirby 28 gave the team an excellent start. A good effort by the home side with the ball was not enough however, as the in-form Pete Richards and Mike Hernadez steered the ship home giving Swanage a second victory in successive seasons at Sherborne.
6 Aug - A frustrating day for the 1st XI as they came close in a hard fought game against Poole. Dan Salmon once again looked solid opening for the Swans with an invaluable 75. Once dismissed though a string of wickets turned the game in the visitor's favour and it could have been much worse but for some dogged batting by Peter Richards and Paul Norman at the tail, Swanage 168 ao.
Another good effort by all in the field gave Swanage some hope, Ryan Norman 3/35 the best of the bowlers on the day. The experienced batting of the Poole side proved difficult to break through however with the visitors making the total in the 46th over.
30 July - A special day for the Swans as both teams recorded excellent victories. Travelling to Shillingstone, the 1st XI once again stuck to their task in the field with Mike Hernandez bowling deliveries all around the opening pair, restricting them to meagre pickings with the bat. P Richards, R King, I Booth, Steve Kent (3/20) and the in-form Mike Nash (4/40), all continued the good work forcing a quick succession of wickets and finishing off the home side for a below par 193.
The usual measured 50 from a skillful Dan Salmon together with some strong strokeplay from Ian Booth (63) meant Swanage looked to be cruising to another victory, but a 3 wicket over from the home side meant nervous times for the Swanage batsmen. With only two wickets remaining, Pete Richards steering the team to victory, with overs to spare, in an entertaining game on an excellent wicket.
23 July - A very positive day for the 1st XI who were put in the field by the visiting Martinstown CC. The visitors rode their luck in the early stages and it looked like another day of missed chances may prove costly with the visitors reaching 108-1 at the first drinks break. Swanage began a dogged fightback soon after and their positive approach produced dividends thanks to some aggressive bowling and fielding, eventually dismissing their oppononents for 182. Pete Richards, Will Self, Ryan Norman and the returning Ian Booth the pick of the bowlers.
Once again the application of Dan Salmon got Swanage of to a solid start and, with the help of Will Self, Ian Booth and Ryan Norman Swanage made the total for the loss of only 6 wickets.
16 July - At a small and very hot Broadstone ground, The Sat 1st XI found themselves chasing 300 runs, Mike Nash 4-48 and Mike Hernandez the pick of the bowlers. The consistently reliable Dan Salmon once again took the game to the opponents and kept the Swanage team in touch throughtout, finally being caught in the deep on 86. Despite a fine effort from Ryan Norman and Mike Wells to keep up with Dan's powerful game, the target proved too much with Swanage being bowled out for 202.
9 July - The Sat 1st XI reversed their recent form with a much stronger performance away to Parley on Saturday. Mike (46) and Dan Salmon (103) got Swanage off to the best possible start, ably assisted by Francis Kerrins and the in-form Mike Nash (53). The 296 runs proved too much for the home side who never looked like making the total thanks to some good bowling spells by Elliot Baczala, Mike Hernandez, Pete Richards and Ryan Norman. The victory was slightly marred by a serious hand injury to Steve Kent who will hopefully return to the side as soon as possible.
2 July - The Sat 1st XI were left wondering what might have been after dropping a string of catches against Stalbridge. Mike and Dan Salmon opened the batting and got the home side off to a strong start and the 180 runs on a damp wicket looked a good score. With most of the team struck down with dropsy in the field however, the visitors made the most of their many lives and made the total with the loss of only 5 wickets.
18 June - Swanage faced a stiff task away to Wimborne with many first team regulars still missing and the home side, winning the toss, elected to bowl first. Mike Wells and the returning Dan Salmon kept the bowlers quiet for some time before Wells was eventually trapped LBW. Against some very accurate bowling, Dan Salmon 24, Pete Richards 34 and Ryan Norman 41, were the pick of the batsmen taking Swanage to 154 in the 44th over.
Elliot Baczala continued his good form with the ball, bowling with consistent length and pace returning figures of 2 wickets for 14 runs off 10 straight overs. Sadly Swanage could not match the home side with their catching and Wimborne managed to get out of jail eventually reaching the total for the loss of 5 wickets.
11 June - Ryan Norman took on the captaincy with both Ian Booth and Ricky King absent for the game against Sherborne at Days Park. Fielding first, Elliot Baczala, Pete Richards and the returning Mike Hernadez, bowled aggressively and caused the visiting batsmen some distress, seemingly unused to anything bouncing around at such pace. Ably supported by Ryan Norman, Matt Beard and the in-form Mike Nash, Swanage worked hard in the field and contained the high flying Sherborne to 191 all out. Norman claimed an excellent 4-24 with Nash getting 3-41.
Swanage got off to a flying start with a delightful innings by Mike Salmon who never struggled in the conditions with 4's to all parts of the ground. When he finally holed out on 82 the remaing batting line-up could not offer much support and the 1st XI once again came up short, finishing just 14 runs of the target.
Despite the loss, there were many positives in the game with the below-strength team close to pulling off an upset, the 11 points earned from the game may prove crucial.
4 June - Captain Ricky King would have been wishing for a favourable call on the toss at a damp and overcast Poole Park. Unfortunately Swanage found themselves batting on a lively wicket and slow outfield and runs were hard to come by, despite the difficult conditions King played an excellent innings top scoring on 55. Sadly no-one could stay around to help with the batting and once again the team found themselves with slightly less runs than they would have liked, all out for 141. The Poole batsmen were never in trouble on a drying wicket, getting good value for their shots and made the total with some ease. Mike Nash's excellent spell with ball, and his grasp of Italian, made the day somewhat less painful.
21 May - Swanage maintained good discipline in the field on a very hot day at Day's Park against the visiting Shillingstone 1st XI. The away team enjoyed the batting conditions an an excellent deck making 241, Ryan Norman, with 3 for 45, the pick of the bowlers. Sadly Swanage's batting was once again found wanting with the team unable to trouble the scorers.
14 May - Despite a good effort in the field Swanage's batting proved inadequate against a excitable Broadstone at Day's Park. Containing the opposition for 229 in the 47th over seemed to offer an opportunity for a favourable result (despite the visitor's total being boosted by a generous helping of of extras); but the loss of top order batsmen meant Swanage were never to trouble the away team.
7 May - The 1st XI bounced back well after their defeat against Stalbridge the week before. Batting first, the visitors found runs hard to come by due to some tight fielding and accurate bowling from Mike Wells, Steve Kent, Ian Booth, Mike Nash, Ryan Norman and Matt Beard, and were finally bowled out in the 44th over for 180. Three wickets each for Wells and Booth, Nash was unfortunate not to get more from his excellent spells. On a glorious day and excellent wicket, Ryan Norman and Mike Nash started well before Norman was bowled. Booth(88no) and Nash (44no) both continued in excellent form and seemed untroubled as they passed the visitors scored without further loss.
27 Aug - Sadly the 2nd XI could not continue their good form against a strong Corfe Mullen side who made the Swan's total of 110 with little trouble, an excellent 33 by Cameron Beard the highlight of the innings.
20 Aug - The 2nd XI now have a sniff of surviving in their final game at home on Saturday thanks to another victory at Abbotsbury. Peter Barker's men bowled the home side out for 167 with Charlie Dyke taking 4 wickets and Tom Salmon 3.
In a close finish, Tim Ives 47, David Haines and Scott Orchard made the runs for he loss of 9 wickets
13 Aug - The 2nd XI continued their good fortune with a solid performance at home to Hamworthy. Scott Orchard's 37, Tom Salmon's 30 and the deft nurdling of Paul Yerby the pick of the batting. The fielding performance was the high point of the day with Swanage creating good pressure in all areas leaving Hamworthy some way short of the home side's total of 156. Mike Wells 3/31 and Tom Salmon's 8 overs 1 wicket for 7 runs the highlight with the ball.
6 Aug - The 2nd XI travelled to old foes Sturminster and Hinton, in an exciting and close game, Swanage could not break down the solid batting of the home side despite an excellent 76 from Craig Wells aided by 39 from Peter Baczala, Sturminster making the total of 202 in the last over of the game.
30 July - The 2nd XI also had cause for celebration, recording their first victory of the campaign at home to local rivals Wareham. Thanks to a 152 run partnership between Tim Ives (77) and the quick firing Pete Baczala (72 no), Swanage had a good total of 225 to defend. The experience of seasoned campaigner Ronnie Barker meant and end to a string of close finishes as Wareham were dismissed for 175 in a sporting contest at Days Park.
23 July - The 2nd XI had an all to brief visit to Blandford on Saturday with a disappointingly low scoring performance, Tia Norman's appearance and rear guard defiance with the bat the highlight of the day.
16 July - The 2nd XI once again came out fighting against strong opposition with Craig Wells, back after many years in the wilderness, taking charge with the bat and top scoring with 69, ably assisted by Tim Ives 39. The Dorset Indian batsmen had no trouble with the weakened bowling attack however, making the total for the loss of only two wickets.
9 July - The 2nd XI also performed well against top of the table Charlton Down with Cameron Beard's 69 runs and Jack McDermott's 4 wickets the highlights of the game. Sadly the Swans could not match the away side's total but it was a strong performance nonetheless.
2 July - Despite an excellent 73 from Peter Baczala the 2nd XI could not overcome the 302 runs posted by Puddletown.
18 June - Swanage 2nd XI came runners up at home to Abbotsbury.
11 June - Pete Barkers men bowled and fielded well at Hamworthy Rec but failures with the bat meant second place despite Andy Baczala's 30 runs, Cameron Beard's 4 wickets were one of the highlights.
4 June - Too many dropped catches and not enough runs meant the 2nd XI suffered another defeat at the hands of old enemies Sturminster and Hinton.
14 May - Andy Tillman's last stand, batting at 11, was the highlight of game, as the 2nd XI found the Dorset Indians too good, away at Broadstone.
7 May - With many of the 2nd XI players promoted to the 1st team, Pete Barker's side have been slightly under strength thus far and not been able to find much form in Div 4.
Charlton Down showed no mercy, inflicting a heavy defeat at their ground on Saturday.