Swardeston maintained a one-point advantage at the top of the East Anglian Premier League after disposing of reigning champions Cambridge Granta on Saturday.
Despite losing the toss Swardeston made early inroads into the Granta innings with Mark Thomas removing Rory Darkins and Alex Fullarton. The introduction of leg-spinner Matt Taylor, 15, saw the youngster pick up three wickets to reduce the hosts to 79-6. Sean Park and Harry Beddows added 23 for the seventh wicket before Thomas returned just before lunch to pick up the wicket of Park for 23.
Beddows provided stubborn resistance and, with the help of Lewys Hill, they added 37 for the eighth wicket before Thomas removed Hill to pick up his fourth wicket. Michael Eccles then picked up two wickets, including the resilient Beddows, who topscored with 29, to dismiss the home side for 153. Thomas finished with 4 for 36 and Taylor 3 for 33,
In reply Swardeston never looked in trouble as Jordan Taylor (32) and New Zealander Michael Parlane (76no) added 84 for the first wicket with Taylor falling to a combination of the Park brothers. Stephen Gray (37 no) joined Parlane and they calmly saw Swardeston across the line in the 41st over, adding 70 for the second wicket.
The 2nd XI lost by three wickets to bottom-of-the-table Norwich A in a runfest at the Common. Daniel Martin posted 133 (pictured), Steve Cadge (41) and Saphie Herathge (50no) as the hosts racked up 275-5. In reply Norwich A opener Martin Grellier hit 94 and Ali Horsley 77 with the pair adding 105 for the fourth wicket. Three quick wickets for Uzi Hossain (3-46) reduced the visitors to 241-7 before they won.
For the 3rd XI, Dave Horrex bagged five for 19 as Swardeston bowled Saham Toney out for just 85 at Hilltops. Swardeston were reduced to 46-6 in reply but Rob Micklethwaite’s unbeaten 29 helped the hosts home.
Swardeston CEYMS slipped to defeat with three balls remaining away to Rocklands in Division Five. Steve Gopaul top scored with 40 for Swardeston in their total of 173, while Kevin Cooper pick of the Swardeston bowlers, finishing with figures of 12-5-19-3.
