Match report: Sway CC II (177) secure dramatic, nerve-shredding four-run Hampshire Cricket League (HCL) Division 3A victory over Mudeford CC (173)
In a game that epitomised the saying that cricket is a game of fine margins, Sway seconds edged a dramatic, nerve-shredding four-run victory over Mudeford at Jubilee Fields on Saturday.
The previously unbeaten Mudeford came in as pre-match favourites against the hosts, who have also made a strong start to the season.
With 177 on the board, thanks to a counter-punching 62 not out from FJ Charton, Sway knew early wickets would be crucial if they were to beat Mudeford, and Tom Randall-Turner (3-26) delivered in style.
He struck twice in a fiery opening burst — Gardner (0) prodding to short cover, then Harris (5) nicking behind, both victims to probing full-length deliveries. At the other end, Jon Waller (2-37) was equally threatening.
Alex James blazed a drive to Sam Nailor at mid-off before Dave Gorvin (2) edged to a diving Dan Stevenson at second slip, leaving Mudeford rocking at 24-4.
The biggest roar came next when captain Nailor (3-22), replacing Randall-Turner, speared in a full, in-swinging delivery that pinned Harry Dye (13), Mudeford’s in-form juggernaut averaging over 150, plumb in front, leaving the league leaders in crisis at 41-5.
Sway kept chipping away, with Randall-Turner returning and drawing James Heaton (14) into a misjudged drive, picked off smartly by Nailor again at mid-off.
John Walter (1-29) tied down the scoring with his accurate left-arm medium, eventually threading one through Liam Bowater’s (14) gate to have Mudeford reeling at 92-7.
Then Steve How (1-39) snared the dangerous Anderson (34), who was looking to turn the tide, with a sharp catch taken at short cover – a pivotal moment.
As the Sway crowd caught their breath, Mudeford’s lower order began to dig in. Opposing skipper Alex Bartlett (31) played with poise and purpose to keep them in the contest as Sway’s attack started to loosen up and tire in the near 30-degree heat.
Rees-Coshan was then clean bowled by Nailor, who returned with fire in his final spell – the stumps splayed, and Sway were just one wicket from a famous win.
However, the drama was not done. With the score on 166-9 and Bartlett looking composed, a crisp straight drive from number 11 Wakelin (8 not out) flew back to Nailor, who shelled it. There was a collective gasp from the home crowd as they wondered if the moment had slipped away.
Charging in around the wicket, the skipper fired in a vicious delivery that squared up his opposing number, Bartlett. The ball looped off the leading edge. The bowler flung out his left hand and, this time, clung on, clinching the ball and the victory by four runs.
Earlier, Sway’s innings of 177 all out (45 overs) had been a tale of survival, rebuilding, and late acceleration. Stevenson stood tall with a battling 28 off 65, while Adam Clark (15) added important support.
But it was Charton who made the difference. With composure and clean hitting, he carved out a vital 62 not out, including partnerships of 56 with Nailor and 33 with Waller that took Sway from a perilous 74-6 to a defendable total.
Bartlett (3-26) and Bowater (3-27) both took three wickets apiece, with Ian Gardner (2-31), Dye (1-33) and Wakelin (1-22) taking the others.
