Report: Dave Reeder
Photo: Jo Smallwood
Video highlights: Jamie Reeder
Downham Stow came out on top in a tight contest to beat Swardeston by seven runs after a match that swung both ways in Saturday’s Anglian Vehicle Linings East Anglian Premier League.
Asked to bat first after Swardeston won the toss, Downham Stow were bowled out for 196 in the final over. Arthur Wilcox anchored the effort with 53 from 67 balls, while Olly Hooker made 32 and Josh Bowers added a patient 30.
There were important late runs too from George Milton, whose unbeaten 20 from 15 deliveries lifted the visitors to a total that proved just beyond Swardeston’s reach.
The innings had threatened to stall after Downham Stow slipped to 73-5, but Wilcox and Bowers steadied matters before the lower order pushed the score towards 200.
Swardeston’s attack kept the pressure on throughout. Matthew Taylor returned the best figures with 4-30 from 7.4 overs, Saranga Rajaguru was miserly in taking 2-21 from his 10 overs, and Ben France added 2-29.
The reply began badly when Benjamin Chapman fell without a run on the board, but Peter Lambert quickly put Swardeston on top with a blistering 73 from 54 balls.
His innings, containing 11 fours and a six, carried the home side beyond 100 inside 12 overs and gave them control of the chase.
Alfie Cooper’s 19 helped add weight to the early charge, but the game changed once Lambert was sixth out at 144.
Saranga Rajaguru’s 27 kept Swardeston in contention, only for Downham Stow to chip away at the lower order as the target came within sight.
Dan Cooke proved decisive with the ball, taking 4-26 from 5.2 overs, while Milton contributed with 2-20 as Swardeston were dismissed for 189 in 32.2 overs.
Scorecard: https://swardeston.play-cricket.com/website/results/7205633
