Southern Premier League cricket: Sway's Steadman hits ton to stun Paultons

SPL Division Three
Sway CC 310-6
Paultons CC 259-8

HIGH-flying Sway remain in second place after winning by 51 runs in a high-scoring New Forest derby against Paultons.

Sway posted an imposing 310 target – thanks mainly to David Steadman, who notched his second century in two games – before Paultons' valiant chase ended 51 runs short when they ran out of overs.

Paultons made a decent start against Sway, who went into the match on a four-game winning streak, with Will Crossley (5) caught by Simon Ennew off Harman Chandoke (1-39) and Scott Dawes catching Jon Grasham (0) off Jordie Smith (1-49).

With the visitors faltering at 8-2, skipper Tim Noble (42) and Alex Hall, with seven and 10 fours, respectively, steadied the ship to take Sway to 108-3 when Noble was trapped LBW by Dawes (2-46).

The captain's departure brought the in-form Steadman to the crease and, fresh from his 127-run showing against Basingstoke & North Hants II, he started quickly, reaching 101 off 81 balls.

The 72-run partnership ended when Hall (72) struck Ben Rogers' (1-40) delivery to Ennew, who took his second catch to leave Sway at 180-4.

Steadman continued his onslaught, this time partnered with Hugh Bernard (46), and together they left Paultons with a mountain to climb, adding another 70 runs.

When Dawes finally caught Steadman off Paul Longland, the innings was almost finished, and Sway closed on 310-6. The other wicket came from Callum Barton (1-29).

Paultons' reply got off to an inauspicious start when man-of-the-moment Steadman trapped opener Lee Wateridge (9) LBW after 19 runs. However, Longland and Rogers (40) repaired the damage and took their side to a healthy 85-2 when Grasham caught Rogers off Bernard (1-46).

Paultons' Callum Barton then fired off a quick 35, which included three fours and two sixes, before finding Oscar Marshall while looking for a boundary after a decent Steve How (1-42) ball.

There were decent scores from several Paultons' batsmen, particularly Longland (40), Simon Ennew (51), Dawes (24) and Liam Longland (21 not out), but ultimately they ran out of overs, and Sway sealed victory.

Sway's other wicket-takers were Grasham (3-36) and Neil Prince (1-38).

Both sides continue their league campaign tomorrow (Saturday) at 12.30pm in 50-over matches, with Sway hosting Langley Manor and Paultons travelling to South Wilts II.