Sizzling Sway seal debut SPL victory against Gosport Borough

SPL Division Three
Sway CC 201-9
Gosport Borough CC 74

A BRILLIANT hat-trick from David Steadman ripped through Gosport Borough’s top order to secure Sway a convincing win in their Southern League debut.

Steadman’s first was helped by an impressive diving catch by Hugh Bernard to knab Borough’s big-hitting West Indian overseas player, Tyrel Chicot.

Will Crossley then took an intelligent slip-catch to get rid of Alex Adams for a golden duck before Steadman trapped Mark Toogood with the first ball – an absolute pearler – to send his teammates wild.

That effectively knocked the wind out of Borough’s sails, reducing them to 35-6. At one point, they could have been bowled out for under 50 before a final partnership gave some respectability to their score, with Sway’s terrific bowling and fielding setting a high standard.

Steadman’s spell of 4-11 broke the back of Borough’s flimsy batting line-up, with Jon Waller (2-28) having taken a bit of tap before inducing Jon Adams to hit to new-signing Tobias Ramwell, and Jubin Karippai to Barnard, who took three catches in all.

Bernard himself took 1-18, with Jon Grasham taking a terrific slip-catch, while débutante Ramwell, who looks an excellent find, quickly got in on the act as Gavin King edged to Alex Hall.

Sway had seemed up against it earlier in the day, losing three quick wickets to be 27-3. But a patient partnership between Crossley and Oscar Marshall was crucial in helping Sway reach a respectable 201-9. Bernard and Steadman each struck 24, and Grasham finished unbeaten on 28.