ABBOTSBURY 210-7 (20pts) beat SWANAGE SECONDS 86 (4pts) by 124 runs

A MAGNIFICENT unbeaten century by Chris Backhouse ensured that Abbotsbury secured victory in the battle of the Swans in County Division Four.

On a warm day in Swanage, the visitors were hoping to bat themselves into a strong position but an excellent opening spell by Matt Beard (3-36) saw Abbotsbury stutter to 19-3 after eight overs.

However, the arrival of Backhouse at the crease, saw a switch in the tempo of the game as the all-rounder immediately sought to dominate the bowling. Swanage continued to chip away with wickets at the other end though with only Simon Pengelly (12) and Chas Duerdoth (16) providing much resistance.

With the possibility of running out of partners, Backhouse was ruthless on anything remotely loose, launching a series of sixes over the short-cover boundary.

Steve Darcy (12no) provided some able late order support in striking a couple of boundaries himself and with the Swanage bowling attack increasingly unable to contain a rampant Backhouse a target of 210 was set at the end of the allotted 40 overs of which 141 was contributed by Backhouse.

Swanage needed a good start in reply but lost early wickets in the face of Abbotsbury’s open- ing attack as captain David Haines (7) fell to Grafton Straker (2-22) and Tim Ives (7) was dismissed by Chas Duerdoth (1-16).

The dangerous looking Paul Newman (12) departed after driving a catch to mid-on and there was to be no way back for the home side with only late order batsman Paul Yerby (12) also able to reach double figures.

Medium pacer Will Philpott (1-24) and spinner Aaron Oliver (3-19) both impressed with some tight bowling and with the irrepressible Backhouse (3-3) mopping up the tail Swanage were all out for 86 to leave the soaring Swans just a point behind leaders Shillingstone.