Swardeston need just one point against Vauxhall Mallards this Saturday to secure the East Anglian Premier League title – and it could be in the bag even before a ball is bowled at The Common.
Mallards’ mission impossible to deny Swardeston on Saturday would involve them batting first, losing less than two wickets and then bowling Swardeston out for less than 150. But if Swardeston win the toss and choose to bat first – thereby denying Mallards a potential maximum points haul of 30 – the celebrations can begin before the game even starts.
Swardeston can also afford to finish level on points with Mallards, as they would claim the title by virtue of winning more games.
The difference between the two sides now stands at 29 points after both won on Saturday.
Swardeston won the toss at Copdock & Old Ipswichian and chose to bowl first.
Skipper Mark Thomas, pictured, led the way by removing both openers, before Martyn Cull and Ed Pope added 64 for the third wicket.
Michael Parlane had Cull (42) caught behind and George Walker then removed Pope (32) and skipper Chris Swallow (0) in consecutive overs, both caught at slip by Peter Lambert.
When Jordan Taylor claimed a run out, the hosts had slumped from 112 for two to 123 for six.
James East (42) provided some stubborn lower order resistance before he became one of two victims for Michael Eccles, and Thomas returned to take the last two wickets, finishing with four for 54 in Copdock’s total of 201 all out.
Swardeston openers Jordan Taylor and Parlane put on 54 before the latter (31) was dismissed lbw. Stephen Gray (40) added 72 with Taylor, who went on to complete his second EAPL half-century, before being caught behind down the leg side immediately afterwards.
The dismissal of Jeremy Elliott and Lambert left the visitors on 153 for five, but Callum Taylor (26no) and Ian Tufts (23no) saw Swardeston home in the 58th over.
Article courtesy of the Eastern Daily Press – www.edp24.co.uk
