Match report: Sway CC (210) let undefeated start to the Southern Premier Cricket League (SPCL) Division Two season slip with Portsmouth & Southsea CC (211-5) defeat

Sway’s undefeated start to the season came to an end with a below-par five-wicket defeat to Portsmouth & Southsea at Jubilee Fields on Saturday.

For Sway, Thor Harradine top-scored with 60 runs, with Matt Young’s 37 the second-highest score, and although Jon Grasham took three wickets, Portsmouth & Southsea reached the total with 47.3 of 50 overs played.

Both sides dropped catches, but the visitors had the edge with the ball and then the bat. The loss drops the New Forest side to fourth behind a trio of other local sides – unbeaten Langley Manor, Calmore Sports and New Milton.

After the early departure of opener Hugh Bernard (1) after six balls, quickly skittled by the dangerous Jake Peach (4-35), Young (37) and Will Crossley 25 looked to re-establish the home innings, taking the score to 67-2.

Alex Hall (20), John Walter (17), and Dave Steadman (25) all promised but collectively were unable to push the run rate above a modest three, with Felix Stanley (2-31), Maxwell Goddard (2-40) and Quinn Prentice (2-49) also in the wickets.

Sway were eventually all out for 210, a run target would always be challenging to defend.

The Portsmouth & Southsea reply was dominated by match-winning teenager Ned Rocket. Batting at number three, he remained undefeated on an increasingly positive seven-boundary 82-run showing.

Rocket’s leading partner was opener Stanley, who scored a significant nine boundaries in a 58-run showing.

With the ball in hand, Grasham (3-52) was the most successful, while the only other wickets came from Tom Richards (1-32) and Richard Thomas (1-46).

Next week, Sway will attempt to return to winning ways when they take on bottom-place side Liphook & Ripsley at Ripsley Park on Saturday at 12:30pm.