SWANAGE Cricket Club enjoyed an eventful weekend across all three senior sides, highlighted by dominant batting displays, incisive bowling, and one dramatic finish that kept supporters on edge until the final ball.
At Days Park, the 1st XI made full use of a true batting surface in their home fixture against Weymouth.
After a steady start, the innings wavered at 122–6, but a composed 44 from Ethan Stacey and valuable lower‑order support lifted Swanage to 204 all out.
The bowlers then took charge.
Freddie Long’s lively opening spell removed three top‑order batters, before Ben Hodder’s clever changes of pace and Mike Salmon’s tidy off‑spin combined to dismiss Weymouth for 137, sealing a convincing victory.
The 2nd XI, away at Weymouth, faced a stern test after the hosts capitalised on winning the toss.
Swanage’s bowlers worked hard—Sam Marks claimed three wickets and Max Nicholson two—to restrict Weymouth to 171–7 after 31 overs.
However, a late surge of 81 runs in the final nine overs pushed the total to 252–9.
In reply, Swanage showed determination through John Lewis (35), Marks (29) and a powerful unbeaten 66 from Ben Allatt, but the chase closed on 215–6, leaving them short despite a spirited effort.
On the Nursery Ground, the 3rd XI produced the weekend’s most explosive batting.
David Alcock and Paul Norman laid the foundations before Norman and Sam Willcocks unleashed an extraordinary unbroken stand of 140, propelling Swanage to 301–3.
Willcocks struck 15 boundaries in his 87 not out, while Norman reached a superb 103 not out.
Lytchett responded bravely, keeping pace throughout a fluctuating contest.
Despite four wickets from Alex Alcock and two from Alan Marks, the visitors edged home off the penultimate ball, eight wickets down, in a thrilling finish.
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