1's Keep Their Momentum Going

Fresh from a convincing opening day victory away at Marshfield, the Swindon 1st XI took to the field again on Saturday against local rivals Purton. The team saw two changes as Liam Tucker and Josh Weaver could count themselves unlucky having missed out with spin options Adam Tucker and Udit Talati taking their places.

With heavy rain in the days previous and overcast conditions the toss was always going to be crucial, fortunately the Purton skipper called incorrectly and Captain Kill put the away side in without hesitation.

The Swindon new ball partnership started off in economical fashion with the first run not being scored until the fourth over. By then the first chance had already gone down, a mistimed cut from Adam Woolford looped gently to Captain Kill at point, what happened next will surely go down as the drop of the season.

Undeterred the ball partnership soon had their rewards with first Conor Taylor bowling Ben Collier. Cameron Baden followed suite bowling fellow opener Woolford, and three balls later removed Purton’s newly acquired overseas Sizwe Masondo LBW for a debut duck. Purton were reeling at 21-3 when Tom Whittaker joined Tom Bowler at the crease, the pair went about slowly rebuilding the innings but the pressure told on Bowler who too was bowled by Baden on the last ball of his ten over spell with the score on 51.

Ex Swindon player Sam Pinchin walked out at 6, what followed was a quiet period in the game as Adam Tucker (10-4-13-0) and Conor Cleary (10-4-13-3) restricted the visitors to the occasional singles. With Cleary picking up the wickets of Whittaker (28), Samuel Bull (0) and Pinchin (13), the visitors slipped into further trouble 81-7. Special mention should go to Tom Codling who’s slow motion diving catch at mid off to remove Pinchin is an early contender for catch of season*.

Purton limped to a final total of 113 all out with Conor Taylor picking up the final two wickets. A fine first half from the home side.

The Swindon reply started well with openers Chris Aubrey and Paul Paginton easing to 30 for no loss before Aubrey was bowled by Purton captain Lee. Captain Kill joined Paginton at the crease and the pair found scoring freely on the slow pitch very challenging. Kill was caught at first slip off Tom Bowler for twelve.

The Purton bowlers continued to bowl tightly and the pressure eventually told on Paginton, who uncharacteristically charged Pat Whittaker and was caught at mid off for 12. Udit Talati soon following as he too was caught in the deep trying to hit out against the tight Purton bowling.

Lower order runs from Marc Williamson (12*), Conor Taylor (21) and Adam Tucker (20*) saw Swindon home.

Man of the Match – Adam Tucker – for his all round bowling and batting display

DOTD – Joint Award – Conor Cleary & Alex Kill

Shower Rating - 3 – Improvement needed

*One unbiased observer was heard to say “It wasn’t in the same league as Marc Williamson’s catch against Winsley in 2013, but it wasn’t bad I guess”.