Swardeston 1st XI had to settle for a draw in their belated season-opener, despite dominating their game against Great Witchingham.
After being invited to bat New Zealander Michael Parlane marked his return to the club with 88. With Peter Lambert (47) he laid the foundations with a third-wicket partnership of 114. Jeremy Elliott, on his EAPL debut, hit a quickfire undefeated 38 as the hosts racked up eight batting points by posting 234-6.
Witchingham, who pipped Swardeston to runners-up spot last term, were soon in trouble with Simon Dyer (2-16) and Michael Eccles (2-24) reducing them to 33-4. Sam Arthurton then survived some early scares to top score with 35, but Mark Thomas removed the middle order taking 3-7 including Arthurton, clean bowling all three.
Hale and Jonathan Spelman steadied the ship as the visitors earned a draw, defiantly batting out 15 overs and adding just eight runs.
The 3rd XI recorded a second straight victory at Hethersett & Tas Valley, who were reduced to 46-6 with Uzi Hussain ripping through the top order. James Hipperson (40) and Dean Parfitt (26) added 66 for the seventh wicket, as a 120 total was posted, Hussain finishing with 6-38. Swardeston slumped to 36-3 in reply, but an unbeaten partnership of 85 between Callum Taylor (48*) and David Micklethwaite (37*) saw them safely home inside 24 overs.
The 2nd and 4th XI games against Brooke were both called off without a ball being bowled.
