PIMPERNE 169-8 (5pts) lost to ABBOTSBURY 170-3 (19pts) by 7 wickets

IN-FORM Abbotsbury entertained Pimperne and secured a seven-wicket win in County Division Four.

On a drying wicket the Swans asked Pimperne to bat first and openers James Allen and Greg Reagan made a confident start, making the most of some wayward deliveries.

Opening bowler Jay Lintern eventually made the breakthrough in the 14th over for the hosts, trapping Allen leg before for 14.

With Pimperne’s batsmen apparently batting at ease against Abbotsbury’s opening bowlers the Swans’ turned to spin through skipper Simon Pengelly.

The change of pace brought immediate rewards as the impressive Reagan (51) was bowled through the gate by a delivery that both drifted and spun.

Sensing the opportunity to take further wickets, Abbotsbury attacked Pimperne’s middle order.

Some tight bowling from Aaron Oliver created wicket-taking chances however Abbotsbury were having an off day in the field and were unable to capitalise.

Pengelly (3-25) and Pete Lawrence (4-24) had more success from the other end but they were unable to dislodge Pimperne’s Kevin Noyce (61) who produced some fine hitting late on in the innings to take the visitors’ final score to 169-8.

After the break Oliver and Pengelly lead the reply for Abbotsbury, initially nullifying Pimperne’s opening bowlers Bryan Kelly (0-31) and Marc Coy (1-20) before latching on to some short pitched bowling to take the score to 84 without loss.

Coy returned to the attack immediately after drinks and, with his first ball he made the muchneeded breakthrough, bowling Oliver for 33.

The experienced Steve Budd then replaced Oliver at the crease and counter-attacked with some crisp drives against some testing bowling from Andy Kelly (0-22).

Despite progressing well, the Abbotsbury batsmen looked to increase the scoring rate and, in doing so, Pengelly holed out to square-leg for 56.

Following a well-played 25, Budd was caught by a close fielder, bringing the big-hitting partnership of Chris Backhouse and Chas Duerdoth together.

The impatient pair made short work of the final 40 runs, clearing the rope on four occasions within four overs to wrap up a sevenwicket victory for the Swans.

Following a series of impressive victories, Abbotsbury sit in third place in the table.

Bride Valley Motors man of the match: Simon Pengelly