Match report: Sway CC (247 all out) moved to the top of the Southern Premier Cricket League (SPCL) Division Two table after a 66-run win over Trojans CC (181 all out)

With a record of two wins from as many games, Sway are the early pace-setters in their league after picking up a 66-run win away to Trojans CC on Saturday.

Sway’s middle and late-order pulled them through in a match in which both sides suffered an early collapse. On reflection, the sides could have been accused of reversing their batting order.

The shining performance for the visiting side was a calming half-century and five aggressive wickets from Sway skipper Dave Steadman, which put the visitors in the driving seat.

Winning the toss was no help to Sway, who had quickly slumped to 63-6, unable to settle against the experience of lively and accurate Tim Felstead (4-40).

Trojans also had Remit Wadhrani (2-40) and Luke Dimmick (2-35) for their wickets.

However, it was number seven, Steadman’s 56, which led the Sway middle-order towards a gradual but increasingly effective counterattack.

Impressive Tom Richards’ 38 runs and a 33-run showing from the scurrying Tom Burton were in close support, helping the New Forest side to finish on 247, a remarkable recovery from 63-6 – they were all out on the last ball of the innings.

Leading the attack, Steadman’s fiery spell of 5-30 was devastating, castling Nigel Le Bas with the first ball of the Trojans’ reply and taking four more successive scalps, leaving the hosts reeling at 22-5.

Full marks, nevertheless, go to Rahul Bhome’s defiant and often free-scoring 73 not out. However, having lost partner Tom Boyd (46) LBW to Tom Richards (2-36), Bhome was left short of effective partners.

With one wicket left, the Trojans were eventually dismissed for 181 in the 49th over.

Sway are back at Jubilee Fields on Saturday at 12.30pm when hosting Portsmouth & Southsea, who have one win and a loss to start the season.