The 1st XI game at Halstead was ended early due to a heavy downpour between the innings. Swardeston, having been put in to bat, posted 223 for 9 in their reduced allocation of 58 overs. They were indebted to Jaden Hatwell who held the innings together with a 113-ball 81. EAPL record-breaking opener Joel Abraham also added 36 whilst Ed Hopkins helped Hatwell add 63 for the seventh wicket. For Halstead Matthew Spatcher took 3 for 37 and new import and Bangladesh Test cricketer Syed Rasel finished with 3 for 59.
The 2nd XI held out for a losing draw at home to Division One leaders Old Buckenham. The visitors posted 225 for 9, Terry Perry top-scoring with 54 and Andrew Lawrence hitting 44. In reply Swardeston were well set thanks to Jordan Taylor (57) and Saphie Herathge (40) but Lawrence (4 for 52) helped remove the middle order and Dale Reynolds and Rob Micklethwaite batted out the final nine overs to reach 186-9.
The 3rd XI secured a winning draw at Divison Three leaders Great Melton. In a match reduced to 30 overs a side, Swardeston posted 174 for 5, Ben Shearing top-scoring with 45. Great Melton reached 161-6 at the close, David Horrex and Kevin Cooper sharing the wickets.
Candidate for unluckiest man of the day was Swardeston CEYMS’ Jon Olpin who fell for 97 as the 4th XI posted 194 for 8 after Division Five leaders Rocklands had scored 211 for 3 at Hilltops.
