Southern Premier League cricket: Sway beat Parley

Southern Premier Division 3
Sway 118-7
Parley 114

A 51-run eighth wicket stand rescued Sway from the jaws of defeat as visitors Parley were bowled out for a paltry 114.

Both sides were in fine bowling form; medium-pace opener Jon Waller repeated his heroics at Bashley last week with another four-wicket haul with 4-28 in 10 unchanged overs.

None of the Parley batsmen reached 20, as wickets tumbled with marked regularity.

Paceman Hugh Bernard (3-37) carved through the Parley middle order, and there was one victim each for Dave Steadman (1-28), Jon Grasham (1-13) and Richard Thomas (1-6). Keeper Alex Hall took three smart catches as Parley were dismissed in only the 34th over.

Highly accurate Parley opening bowlers, quickie Ollie Green (3-35) and teenager Bo Powell (2-19), were outstanding as the home batsmen suffered Parley’s fierce resistance.

Skipper Tim Noble and the previously in form Will Crossley went in successive balls. Assisted by Harry Avoth (1-31) and Jack Nichols (1-16), Sway slumped to a perilous 67-7.

Finally, it was the resolute application of all-rounders Grasham (20 not out) and Thomas (13 not out) who gradually edged Sway to victory and second place in the table.