SPCL Division Two cricket: Sway’s Will Crossley in full swing in Liphook & Ripsley win
SPCL Division Two
Sway CC 240-6
Liphook & Ripsley CC 188
SWAY made it two wins in a row with a dominant showing with the bat and ball to see off Liphook & Ripsley by a 52-run margin at Jubilee Fields.
After an early lost wicket, Sway were terrific, with Will Crossley (85) and Josh Bailey (63) leading the way before the Sway bowlers wrapped up the victory.
After losing the toss and being asked to bat first on a damp wicket, William Millard (8) was caught LBW by Charles Janczur with 18 runs scored.
That brought Josh Bailey, half of Sway’s returning Bailey twin duo, and Crossley to the fore. Together, they frustrated the Liphook bowlers, steadily putting together an excellent partnership of 118 before Josh was caught.
Another 38 runs were added after Dan Bailey replaced his brother before Crossley finally succumbed after 113 balls after Rob Nicklin’s (2-42) caught and bowled.
Crossley’s game-defining display included 10 fours and a six.
Skipper Dave Steadman added 28 valuable runs, while the undefeated duo Steve How (12 not out) and Jon Grasham (5 not out) saw out the final over.
Liphook & Ripsley made a slow start to their innings, taking eight overs to score 16 runs, which is when Jon Waller (1-35) struck, having opener Nicklin (10) caught by teenager Olly Marshall.
The next Sway bowler to make the breakthrough was Jon Grasham, who clean bowled Henry Amis (8) and the remaining opener, Joe Farndale (29), at 62-3.
Ash-Lee Harvey (30), George Zawoda (59), and Harry Munt (28) did their best to keep up the fight, but once they succumbed, the writing was on the wall.
Skipper Steadman (2-37) removed two of the Liphook tail, while Dan Bailey (2-35) was vital during the middle order, and Richard Thomas (1-38) removed Harvey at a crucial time.
The match came to an end when Grasham had Munt caught by Josh Bailey, with the visitors 52 runs adrift.
Sway are on their travels this Saturday when they take on local rivals New Milton at 12:30pm.
