Swardeston remain on course for a unique silverware quadruple – but skipper Mark Thomas is adamant that the league remains the number one priority.
Thomas’ team are currently 12 points clear at the head of the EAPL and have reached the semi-finals of the Carter Cup, the Biss Trophy and the Norfolk 20/20 Cup.
And while Swardeston are keen to win all four competitions, Thomas is realistic about their chances of a clean sweep.
“No-one has really mentioned it and I think it is unlikely,” he said. “Having said that, we’ve got a better chance than anyone else!
“It would be nice to win the league, firstly because we’ve never won the EAPL before and secondly because – as long as the weather gets better – it is generally the best side who finishes top.”
Swardeston have, like all clubs, been affected by the miserable weather, with last Saturday’s game abandoned and the previous weekend’s match curtailed by the rain.
Thomas said: “It is frustrating and it is starting to be a bit depressing because everyone just wants to play cricket.
“It’s not just the men’s teams which are affected – our last three junior coaching sessions on Tuesday nights have been cancelled and the ladies team has not been able to practise, it has affected everything. But looking at the forecast, it should be brighter this weekend so hopefully we will get the games in.”
Swardeston host the same opposition on both days this weekend, as they take on Great Witchingham in the league on Saturday and the two teams meet again on Sunday in a Biss Trophy semi-final.
Witchingham have enjoyed a fine start to life in the EAPL and Thomas has been impressed by the newcomers: “They have done very well,” he said.
“They have come up trumps with their overseas player, Lance Shaw, who is the top wicket-taker in the league. It is sometimes the luck of the draw with an overseas player, but they have done well to get someone who obviously wants to do well and who has fitted in.
“James Spelman has also been in good form since moving from Vauxhall Mallards and we know they will not be easy games at the weekend.”
Witchingham skipper Dennis Rogers is hoping his team can derail Swardeston’s quadruple bid on Sunday and book a place in the final, which will be played under floodlights for the first time. Rogers said: “The club have never been in one of the major finals before so it would be nice to get through. Obviously though it is going to be very difficult because Swardeston are the top side around.”
Witchingham’s cause will not be helped by the absence of teenage star batsman Sam Arthurton, who will be attending a training camp with the South of England Under-15s.
Arthurton will be hoping to win a place in the final squad to take on the country’s other regional sides.
Thomas, meanwhile, will be hoping for good news from Brundall tomorrow, where Mallards take on Swardeston’s closest rivals in the league, Bury.
The Swardeston skipper said: “That will be a very interesting game.
“Mallards may be too far behind to catch us, but they are looking a very good side now and they have Trevor Ward for the rest of the season so it’s certainly feasible that they could do us a favour.”
Article courtesy of the Eastern Daily Press
