A hat-trick from David Steadman ripped through Gosport Borough's top order to secure Sway a crushing 127-run victory on their Southern Premier Division 3 debut.
Steadman's first was aided by an almost unbelievable running and diving catch by Hugh Bernard to get Borough's potentially big hitting West Indian overseas, Tyrel Chicot.
Will Crossley then took a smart slip catch to get rid of Alex Adams for a golden duck before Steadman trapped in-form former Royal Navy batsman Mark Toogood first ball with an absolute pearler to send his team-mates wild with delight.
That effectively knocked the wind out of Borough's sails, reducing them to 35-6. At one point they could have been bowled out for under 50, before a final partnership gave some respectability to their score, with Sway's terrific bowling and fielding setting a high standard.
Steadman's spell of 4-11 broke the back of Borough's flimsy batting line-up, Jon Waller having taken a bit of tap before inducing Hampshire 60s prospect Jon Adams (20) to hit to new signing Tobias Ramwell and Jubin Karippai to hit to Bernard, who took three catches in all.
Bernard himself took 1-18 - Jon Grasham taking a terrific slip catch, while debutant Ramwell quickly got in on the act as Gavin King edged to Alex Hall, Ramwell looking a terrific find.
Earlier in the day, Sway had seemed up against it, losing three quick wickets to be 27-3 at Privett Park.
But a patient partnership between Crossley (44) and Oscar Marshall was crucial in helping Sway reach a respectable 201-9, Bernard and Steadman each striking 24 and Grasham a well-made unbeaten 28.
Havant seconds, who beat Sway to the Hampshire League title last season, sank to a seven-wicket home defeat to Portsmouth & Southsea, who will surely fancy themselves to be contesting a promotion spot this term.
Experienced hands Simon Barnard (30) and Andrew Galliers (26) steadied Havant (116) while Max Goddard shared six wickets. Jack Davies, in a rich vein of form, hit an unbeaten 50 and Alex Davidson 36.
Steadman's first was aided by an almost unbelievable running and diving catch by Hugh Bernard to get Borough's potentially big hitting West Indian overseas, Tyrel Chicot.
Will Crossley then took a smart slip catch to get rid of Alex Adams for a golden duck before Steadman trapped in-form former Royal Navy batsman Mark Toogood first ball with an absolute pearler to send his team-mates wild with delight.
That effectively knocked the wind out of Borough's sails, reducing them to 35-6. At one point they could have been bowled out for under 50, before a final partnership gave some respectability to their score, with Sway's terrific bowling and fielding setting a high standard.
Steadman's spell of 4-11 broke the back of Borough's flimsy batting line-up, Jon Waller having taken a bit of tap before inducing Hampshire 60s prospect Jon Adams (20) to hit to new signing Tobias Ramwell and Jubin Karippai to hit to Bernard, who took three catches in all.
Bernard himself took 1-18 - Jon Grasham taking a terrific slip catch, while debutant Ramwell quickly got in on the act as Gavin King edged to Alex Hall, Ramwell looking a terrific find.
Earlier in the day, Sway had seemed up against it, losing three quick wickets to be 27-3 at Privett Park.
But a patient partnership between Crossley (44) and Oscar Marshall was crucial in helping Sway reach a respectable 201-9, Bernard and Steadman each striking 24 and Grasham a well-made unbeaten 28.
Havant seconds, who beat Sway to the Hampshire League title last season, sank to a seven-wicket home defeat to Portsmouth & Southsea, who will surely fancy themselves to be contesting a promotion spot this term.
Experienced hands Simon Barnard (30) and Andrew Galliers (26) steadied Havant (116) while Max Goddard shared six wickets. Jack Davies, in a rich vein of form, hit an unbeaten 50 and Alex Davidson 36.
South Wilts sent a seriously weakened side down the A36 and took a 280-run pounding from Langley Manor, who recovered from an uncertain start at 46-3 to put the game out of reach by tea.
Feared run gun Elliott Pointing was among five victims for Joe Cranch (5-49), but one he’d gone Conor Browne smacked 78 and Steve Harris a typically forceful 82, including three maximums and nine fours. South Wilts rolled over for 113.
Basingstoke & North Hants seconds lost their Division 3 opener by seven wickets to Paultons, who chased down 205-6, with almost 20 overs to spare.
Basingstoke’s total revolved around Callum Coombs (78 not out), supported by openers Richard Vinn (36) and Greg Donaldson (27).
But the Stoke bowlers were unable to contain young Australian Callum Barton, who peppered the Whitemoor Lane boundary, 42 of his 44 runs off 19 balls breaching the rope.
Paul Longland (71) and teen Ben Rogers (38 not out) completed the formalities for Paultons, for whom left-arm spinner Andrew Denney earlier took 3-23.
Under new captain Piero Perera (last season's 2nd XI skipper) Trojans started their season with a narrow three-run victory against Purbrook, where they only just defended 178, as scorer Malcolm Clarke recalls.
Syed Mahmood (49) top scored, despite not arriving at the crease midway through the innings with Trojans 69-3 and being ninth out in the penultimate over with the score on 178 which was Trojans final score. Ed Boyd with 30, Syed Agha with 19, Joel Sutherland with 11, and Jamie Donaldson with 15 were the other Trojans batsmen to reach double figures. For Purbrook, Hamid Khan and Jahanzeb Habib each took three wickets, with three run outs.
When Purbrook replied, Noman Ali took a wicket with his second ball, but captain Sean Figgins (30) and Brad Mengham, with a quickly accumulated 35, kept the Heath scoreboard ticking.
With Sameen Mahboob and James Barber also making double figure scores it became very much an even contest.
However, when 63 runs were needed and only three wickets remained Trojans appeared the likely winners, but an eighth-wicket partnership of 46 between James Gurney (16) and Jahanzeb Habib (40 not out), who unleashed some powerful strokes, put Purbrook in a strong position.
Rahul Bhome (5-30) took a wicket in each of three successive overs to ensure Trojans a tight win.
Feared run gun Elliott Pointing was among five victims for Joe Cranch (5-49), but one he’d gone Conor Browne smacked 78 and Steve Harris a typically forceful 82, including three maximums and nine fours. South Wilts rolled over for 113.
Basingstoke & North Hants seconds lost their Division 3 opener by seven wickets to Paultons, who chased down 205-6, with almost 20 overs to spare.
Basingstoke’s total revolved around Callum Coombs (78 not out), supported by openers Richard Vinn (36) and Greg Donaldson (27).
But the Stoke bowlers were unable to contain young Australian Callum Barton, who peppered the Whitemoor Lane boundary, 42 of his 44 runs off 19 balls breaching the rope.
Paul Longland (71) and teen Ben Rogers (38 not out) completed the formalities for Paultons, for whom left-arm spinner Andrew Denney earlier took 3-23.
Under new captain Piero Perera (last season's 2nd XI skipper) Trojans started their season with a narrow three-run victory against Purbrook, where they only just defended 178, as scorer Malcolm Clarke recalls.
Syed Mahmood (49) top scored, despite not arriving at the crease midway through the innings with Trojans 69-3 and being ninth out in the penultimate over with the score on 178 which was Trojans final score. Ed Boyd with 30, Syed Agha with 19, Joel Sutherland with 11, and Jamie Donaldson with 15 were the other Trojans batsmen to reach double figures. For Purbrook, Hamid Khan and Jahanzeb Habib each took three wickets, with three run outs.
When Purbrook replied, Noman Ali took a wicket with his second ball, but captain Sean Figgins (30) and Brad Mengham, with a quickly accumulated 35, kept the Heath scoreboard ticking.
With Sameen Mahboob and James Barber also making double figure scores it became very much an even contest.
However, when 63 runs were needed and only three wickets remained Trojans appeared the likely winners, but an eighth-wicket partnership of 46 between James Gurney (16) and Jahanzeb Habib (40 not out), who unleashed some powerful strokes, put Purbrook in a strong position.
Rahul Bhome (5-30) took a wicket in each of three successive overs to ensure Trojans a tight win.