ABBOTSBURY 71 (3pts) lost to POOLE THIRDS (20pts) 180 by 109 runs.

ABBOTSBURY produced their worst performance of the season as they collapsed to a heavy defeat at the hands of Poole Thirds in County Division Four.

On a scorching afternoon in Abbotsbury, home skipper Simon Pengelly lost the toss and was asked to bowl first by Poole counterpart Ben Pocknell.

The early signs were good for the Swans however, as Chas Duerdoth broke through twice in the eighth over to remove Poole opening pair Matthew Hobbs (10) and Lawrence Brindley (17), and Pengelly bowled Pocknell (5) to leave Poole tottering at 39-3 after 13 overs.

Further success was to elude the Abbotsbury attack though as Luke Hall (45) and Scott Thompson (58) steadily built a partnership which was not broken until the 31st over when David Worsdell took a juggling catch at mid-on off a Kynan Brian (1-32) delivery to remove Thompson.

Jack Handford (1-30) was making his debut for the Swans and the 14-year-old claimed his first wicket for the club in the following over by dismissing the incoming Chakeam Beagley (2) who top-edged a simple catch for keeper Ashley Harrow.

Rob Hellawell (30no) helped ensure maximum batting points for Poole as the Abbotsbury attack toiled in the heat without a further breakthrough until the final ball of the innings, when Hall slapped spinner Aaron Oliver (1-27) to Hansford at cover, who took a fine catch.

Chasing a total of 180, the Swans got off to a terrible start by losing three wickets in the first seven overs.

David Worsdell (2) was first to fall, fending a short ball to slip, Nick Kneebone (0) lasted three balls before being yorked by Brindley (2-14) and Hobbs took a steepling catch to remove Chas Duerdoth (8).

Brian (5) and Pengelly (31) steadied the ship somewhat but the dismissal of Brian in the 17th over triggered another collapse as an excellent slip catch removed Handford (0) and the resistance of Pengelly ended when he was bowled by McKazie.

James Handford (8), also making his debut for Abbotsbury, struck two fine boundaries before losing his wicket to Matthew Reed (3-14) and the end arrived swiftly for the off-colour Swans as Frank Pittman and Grafton Straker (both 0) departed as the Swans were bowled out for a derisory 71.

Despite the defeat, Abbotsbury are still in touch with the promotion places at the halfway point in the season, sitting just four points behind second-placed Wareham.

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