Report: Dave Reeder
Photos: Jo Smallwood
After winning the toss and choosing to field, Swardeston were set a demanding target as Copdock & Old Ipswichian posted 332 for 4 from their 64 overs in Saturday’s Anglian Vehicle Linings East Anglian Premier League.
The size of that total left Swardeston needing a substantial reply, and they responded with resilience, closing on 270 for 9 from their 56 overs to secure the draw.
Swardeston started brightly, taking three Copdock wickets inside 25 overs. Norfolk Captain Sam Arthurton made 28 before being struck LBW by Adam Todd. Ishaan Rakesh fell without scoring to Ben France, and then Todd removed Burle for 29.
The hosts’ innings was then transformed by Mihlali Mpongwana, who smashed 161 not out from 140 balls featuring 17 fours and seven sixes. He shared a decisive fourth-wicket stand with Alex Oxley, whose 72 from 102 balls helped lift Copdock from 109-3 to 271-4 before Jacob Marston added late impetus with an unbeaten 20.
Copdock closed on 332-4 while Swardeston were to rue missed chances in the field.
Todd was Swardeston’s most successful bowler with 2-68, while France and Richard Sims picked up one wicket apiece. Lewis Reeder and Saranga Rajaguru bowled excellent tight spells, conceding just 4.2 and 3.5 runs respectively.
Swardeston’s reply was anchored by a classy 112 from Tim Ward, who batted for 186 minutes and struck 16 fours and a six in a composed innings of 129 balls.
Ward’s century gave Swardeston the platform they needed after two early wickets had left them 49 for 2 in the 11th over.
Captain Alfie Cooper provided the key support with 67 from 79 balls, hitting nine boundaries as he and Ward rebuilt the innings in a decisive third-wicket stand.
Their partnership carried Swardeston from 49 for 2 to 194 for 3, keeping them in with a chance of victory.
Ward finally fell with the score on 246 and with 10 an over still required, this sparked a flurry of wickets as Swardeston slipped from 246 for 4 to 270 for 9.
Bridges struck twice in the final over of the chase, but Lewis Reeder saw out the final 3 balls with Ben France unbeaten on 11 to see out the draw.
Mpongwana was the pick of the home attack with 3 for 62 from 15 overs.
Scorecard: https://swardeston.play-cricket.com/website/results/7205538
