Report: Dave Reeder
Photos: Jo Smallwood
Swardeston showed all the resilience of a side determined to stay in the fight as they defended a modest total to beat Mildenhall by 26 runs in the Anglian Vehicle Linings East Anglian Premier League.
On a demanding day for batters at Wamil Way, the visitors were bowled out for 175 in 59.4 overs after being asked to bat first, but that total proved enough once Saranga Rajaguru produced a match-winning spell in the reply.
Oli Longdon top-scored for Swardeston with a patient 42 from 83 balls, while Jonah Wicks compiled 33 and Ben Chapman made 27 at the top of the order. Adam Todd’s 21 also carried added value in a low-scoring contest where every run became increasingly important.
Mildenhall had plenty to show for their work with the ball. Jack Bowman led the way with 4 for 26, Dylan Hardy claimed 3 for 31, and Matt Allen returned 2 for 27, while Kc Cariappa’s 18 overs cost only 34 runs.
Set a target of 176, Swardeston openers Lewis Reeder and Ben France bowled with great discipline from the outset, conceding just 3 runs from the first 6 overs.
Reeder then struck twice, removing Worthington (1) and the dangerous Cariappa (9) to complete an excellent opening spell of 7-2-15-2.
Mildenhall then appeared to have a route into the game when Matt Allen struck 55 from 87 balls, and Joe Tetley added 29 before Rajaguru then turned the match decisively Swardeston’s way, taking both wickets, with the key wicket of Allen on the stroke of tea.
Swardeston continued to keep the pressure on as Rajaguru went on to take 6 for 51 from 14.3 overs as he ripped through the middle and lower order.
France took two wickets for just 45 runs from his 18 overs, as Mildenhall lost their last seven wickets for 59 runs and were dismissed for 149 in 49.3 overs.
The result earned Swardeston 27 points, with Mildenhall taking 5.
Scorecard: https://swardeston.play-cricket.com/website/results/7205582
