SWANAGE'S star all-rounder Harry Long delivered a superb performance with both bat and ball to secure a dramatic one-wicket victory for the 2nd XI against fellow promotion contenders Blandford.
Long set the tone early with a hostile spell of seam bowling, claiming two wickets and reducing the hosts to 40–3.
He was backed up brilliantly by Swanage’s spin duo, Andrew Hancock and Sid Nash, who combined for 14 overs, taking 4–45 to leave Blandford struggling at 104–7.
Despite two wickets from Paul Knight, Blandford’s tail fought back impressively, adding crucial runs to reach a competitive 187 all out.
Swanage’s reply began poorly as Blandford’s opening bowlers found swing and seam movement to devastating effect, ripping through the top order and leaving the visitors in deep trouble at 30–5.
A determined half-century stand between Mike Nash and Ben Allatt steadied the innings, but their departures for 35 and 20 respectively once again halted momentum, with Swanage slipping to 90–7 after 27 overs.
With the match seemingly drifting away, Long took control.
Batting with maturity and power, he shared consecutive 35-run partnerships with David Alcock and Knight, dragging Swanage back into contention at 160–9.
Refusing to yield, Long expertly rotated the strike with last man Hancock, showing calmness under pressure as the target edged closer.
Fittingly, Long sealed the victory in style, launching his 10th boundary out of the ground to finish 77 not out and complete a remarkable chase.
His all-round heroics capped one of Swanage’s most dramatic wins of the season.
The result moves Swanage to within 15 points of second place with five games remaining, keeping their promotion hopes very much alive.
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