Report: Dave Reeder
Photo: Jo Smallwood
Swardeston eased to an eight-wicket victory over Witham after a composed run chase and moved up to second place in the Anglian Vehicle Linings EAPL.
The visitors won the toss and asked the hosts to bat first. Witham struggled to build any momentum through their innings after being put under pressure by a disciplined Swardeston attack.
The Witham captain, Michael Godwin, was first to go as he was bowled by Lewis Reeder for 4 with the score on 5, before Harrison McDonald and Reuben Thain steadied the innings with scores of 21 and 20 respectively.
Jamal Richards provided the backbone of the innings, making 42, but regular wickets left Witham 129 for 8. Sam Greer and Luke Gouldstone then added useful late runs, Greer making 20 from 19 balls and Gouldstone 18 from 24, to lift the total to 171 all out.
Tom Bailey returned 3 for 15 while Adam Todd took 3 for 35. Saranga Rajaguru added 2 for 59, and Ben France delivered a miserly spell of 10 overs for 19 runs, including four maidens.
Swardeston’s reply began with the loss of Ben Chapman, who was lbw to Greer for 16 at 34 for 1.
From there, Elliot Fox and Tim Ward took control with a decisive second-wicket partnership of 129, ensuring Witham were unable to build sustained pressure in the field.
Fox made 63 from 126 balls, hitting eight fours, before being caught behind by Philip Gray off Richards with the score on 163.
Ward’s classy innings finished with him unbeaten on 63 from 70 balls, with seven boundaries, and Alfie Cooper joined him to see Swardeston home.
Swardeston claimed 25 points and Witham 3 points.
Scorecard: https://swardeston.play-cricket.com/website/results/7205651
