ABBOTSBURY 184-5 (6pts) lost to WAREHAM 187-2 (17pts) by eight wickets

ABBOTSBURY’S disappointing start to the season continued as they were well beaten by Wareham in County Division Four.

Swans’ skipper Simon Allen called the toss correctly and opted to bat first on a sunny but breezy afternoon in Abbotsbury.

In the opening overs, Simon Pengelly and Frank Pittman both presented catching chances which were squandered by the Wareham fielders.

After these early reprieves both batsmen settled into their innings, though with a slow outfield run scoring remained at a modest rate.

However, by the time Pittman (38) fell leg before to Matt Truman in the 25th over, a decent platform of 104 had been laid by the hosts.

Pengelly took a liking to Wareham’s second string bowlers and with Nick Kneebone (16) in support a score in excess of 200 was being targeted.

However, Wareham skipper Truman brought himself back into the attack alongside Harry Wright, also for his second spell, which again restricted the scoring rate.

Pengelly (98) batted excellently but just missed out on a century as an attempted pull off Truman was missed and his off stump was knocked back.

With overs running out the Abbotsbury batsmen tried to push on but disciplined bowling ensured very few boundaries were conceded.

Three wickets fell to Truman (5-39) in the final three overs to complete a five-wicket haul while Wright returned very economical figures of 0-19 from his allotted eight overs.

Defending a total of 184, the Swans were hoping for early wickets to put pressure on Wareham, with Grafton Straker (0-35) and Jay Lintern (0-53) leading the attack for the home side.

However, it was to prove a frustrating afternoon for the Abbotsbury bowlers as Wareham opening batsmen Harry Wright and Ashley Hayes batted with composure, with Hayes in particular regularly finding the boundary.

The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 32nd over when Chas Duerdoth (1-29) bowled Wright (55) but Hayes (113) brought up his century to bring victory within sight.

Pengelly (1-45) finally accounted for the centurion as he was bowled attempting to hoist the spinner over mid-wicket but there was to be no further joy for the Swans as Matt Truman (5) and Martin Upshall (12) guided Wareham home for a straightforward win and maximum points.

Abbotsbury will be hoping for an improved performance in their next match away to Sturminster & Hinton.

*Abbotsbury CC are sponsored by Bride Valley Motors.