Swanage 06/07/25

Skipper won the ‘toss’ (rock paper scissors) and elected to bat.  Some no-balls in the first over gave David some free hits but was unable to profit.  David did find the boundary with a top edge past slip for four and then an extra-cover drive over the in-field for four.  Ben looked out-of-sorts and was dropped 3 times during his eventful innings.  However, it was David who was undone by the spinner, turning it through the gate as David (12) tried an expansive drive (29-1, 8).  Ben (12) gave I too many catching opportunities and was dismissed (37-2, 9).  Skipper joined Tommy at the crease and all looked good with some opportunistic singles, a big six over the tree at square-leg and a four off a free hit.  However, a high full-toss (that was going to dip) was top-edged to the man on 45 degrees and Skipper (16) departed (87-3, 14).  Leo came in and was batting sensibly given the wicket count. Tommy (45) was out in very similar fashion to Skipper (103-4, 16).  Jono (on debut) joined his friend and started a superb partnership.  It was not long before Jono went on the attack, placing fours around the ground and a couple of big sixes in his 50.  The scoreboard was motoring along and Leo was playing a great supportive role.  Jono accelerated his scoring, losing 2 balls in the housing estate before taking 26 off 1 over, including a majestic straight six into the sightscreen to bring up his century (101), before retiring (230-5, 29).  Adi (0) faced 1 ball before he was run out with a direct hit, although he was no-where to be seen near the crease (233-6, 30)!  PW (1) managed his customary scoop around the corner for a single before he too was run out (265-7, 34).  By now Leo had passed his 50 and was playing some delightful drives into the gaps – at one point dissecting 2 in-fielders and 2 on the boundary!  Leo (61) was brilliantly caught at mid-wicket when a pull shot got a top-edge (269-8) and there was just time for Foz (1no) to get on the scoreboard before the innings closed on 271-8 in 35 overs.

Foz opened the innings with a wide and was brutally carted to the leg-side boundary by the left-handed opener in his first over, before getting the measure of him.  Adi opened from the Pavilion end was getting some additional lift.  In his second over, a cross-seam delivery rose sharply, getting a glove on the way through to Skipper who took a tricky catch above his head.  Three balls later the additional lift got the outside edge giving Skipper a simpler catch (22-2, 4).  Foz then got his man when an attempted drive rose high above Jono who took a calm catch (25-3, 5).  With the score on 40 from 10 overs, a double bowling change saw Leo come up the hill with PW from the pavilion end.  Leo got one to straighten and bowled the batsman through the gate but PW was being slogged to the leg-side with Leo and then Brett gainfully employed on the square-leg boundary.  PW did trap the batsman LBW but some suspicion of bat first saw the batsman recalled.  PW did find the outside edge but with no slip employed the chance went down.  Ben replaced Leo (4-1-17-1) and then David came on for PW (6-0-38-0).  Ben struggled to find his line and length and was heavily punished (4-0-45-0).  Tommy served up a buffet and managed to get some balls to turn on the hard wicket – one which hit pad and then stumps.  David dismissed the Swanage top scorer with a catch from Leo before getting his second bowled (6-1-24-2).  Tommy picked up his second wicket when PW held onto a catch (4-1-9-2).  There was time for Foz to finish the game with a maiden over (6-1-22-1).  The Wanderers won by 92 runs.

MOM: Jono – century on debut

Catch of the day: PW

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