An impressive second wicket 176-run partnership by skipper Tim Noble [88] and Will Crossley, with an unbeaten 100, proved vital in earning Sway the early season Southern Premier Division 3 top spot, but it was not before the Foresters’ error strewn bowling had aided the Trojans 239-7.
Sway had failed to capitalise on reducing their Stoneham Lane hosts to 35-4. Instead, South African Quinton Ventner [44], left-hander Steff Rowland [52*] and hard-hitting Hampshire 50s all-rounder Jamie Donaldson 39 all contributed. There were wickets for the economical Richard Thomas [2-18] and left arm seamers Sam Nailor [2-38] and Jon Grasham [2-40]. In his debut appearance, Hampshire’s 15-year-old Seth Pickering dismissed fellow Edwardian Donaldson (his senior, by some 38 years !), caught behind by Alex Hall.
In reply, Sway’s John Walter [18] was trapped in front by Tim Felstead at 28-1, after which Noble and Crossley batted first with caution and, increasingly, fine shots with timely running, Noble contributed 12 fours before being lbw to Ventner with score ramped up to 204-2. Crossley, whose innings featured 10 boundaries, saw Alex Hall and Greg Jones depart quickly, but with Tom Burton scuttling between the wickets, Crossley took control to score the winning runs in the final over.
Tom Bolam and Rob Pitman hit unbeaten half-centuries as South Wilts seconds swept to a seven-wicket win over Paultons at Bemerton.
Bolam scored 54 not out and Pitman 53, his second consecutive fifty, as South Wilts chased down Paultons 163 before the second innings drinks had even been poured.
South Wilts weren’t in the best shape when the pair came together, Australian Callum Barton having whipped out youngsters William Langdown and Tom Whiting in quick succession. But Jo Cranch (30) soon fired.
Earlier, Paultons were indebted to a half-century by Barton (58), one of four victims for XL Club spinner James Brewer (4-25).
Sway had failed to capitalise on reducing their Stoneham Lane hosts to 35-4. Instead, South African Quinton Ventner [44], left-hander Steff Rowland [52*] and hard-hitting Hampshire 50s all-rounder Jamie Donaldson 39 all contributed. There were wickets for the economical Richard Thomas [2-18] and left arm seamers Sam Nailor [2-38] and Jon Grasham [2-40]. In his debut appearance, Hampshire’s 15-year-old Seth Pickering dismissed fellow Edwardian Donaldson (his senior, by some 38 years !), caught behind by Alex Hall.
In reply, Sway’s John Walter [18] was trapped in front by Tim Felstead at 28-1, after which Noble and Crossley batted first with caution and, increasingly, fine shots with timely running, Noble contributed 12 fours before being lbw to Ventner with score ramped up to 204-2. Crossley, whose innings featured 10 boundaries, saw Alex Hall and Greg Jones depart quickly, but with Tom Burton scuttling between the wickets, Crossley took control to score the winning runs in the final over.
Tom Bolam and Rob Pitman hit unbeaten half-centuries as South Wilts seconds swept to a seven-wicket win over Paultons at Bemerton.
Bolam scored 54 not out and Pitman 53, his second consecutive fifty, as South Wilts chased down Paultons 163 before the second innings drinks had even been poured.
South Wilts weren’t in the best shape when the pair came together, Australian Callum Barton having whipped out youngsters William Langdown and Tom Whiting in quick succession. But Jo Cranch (30) soon fired.
Earlier, Paultons were indebted to a half-century by Barton (58), one of four victims for XL Club spinner James Brewer (4-25).