ABBOTSBURY 283 (20pts) beat WAREHAM 40 (5pts) by 243 runs

ABBOTSBURY’S spin king Krish Subramanian captured nine wickets to help Abbotsbury romp to another victory in a one-sided encounter with Wareham in County Division Four.

Batting first after winning the toss, Abbotsbury opening duo of Simon Pengelly and Simon Allen accumulated runs briskly in reaching 48 before Allen (25) was bowled in the seventh over playing across the line to a Sam Oxon delivery.

Oxon snatched another wicket when Budd (11) edged to gully but with Pengelly (72) in good touch and with the assistance of some indifferent bowling, Abbotsbury kept the score ticking over.

The loss of Nick Kneebone (20) in the 23rd over was swiftly followed by that of Chas Duerdoth (9) but this only brought the introduction of Chris Backhouse who set about dismantling the Wareham attack, smashing five sixes in a rapid 81.

Pete Lawrence chipped in with 23 before being bowled by Stuart Paton (1-72) and Wareham were able to mop up the Abbotsbury tail as the home side lost their final five wickets for just 14 runs, Oxon the pick of the Wareham attack with figures of 4-26.

However, chasing a target of 284 was to prove well beyond Wareham. After seeing off the opening over from Grafton Straker (0-26) with no alarms, the spin of Subramanian immediately produced a double-wicket maiden as Wareham skipper Martin Upshall and Mark Swain were both bowled.

Subramanian’s third over was even better. The Wareham batsmen were all at sea as three more wickets fell.

Matt Truman struck some classy shots as he top scored with 17 before tickling Subramanian behind into the gloves of Steve Budd but Stuart Paton (13) was the only other Wareham batsman to hit double figures.

Further mayhem followed as a hat-trick meant a clean sweep of 10 wickets looked a distinct possibility for the magical Subramanian but Straker’s replacement Jay Lintern (1-2) turned party pooper as he induced last man John Norman (1) into edging on to his stumps, leaving Subramanian with the magnificent figures of nine wickets for just 12 runs from six overs.

Abbotsbury captain Simon Pengelly said “This has been a good start to the season for Abbotsbury. Krish Subramanian in particular has been very impressive taking 15 wickets in the first two games. We need to maintain our focus now and keep putting in the performances on the pitch.”

* Abbotsbury Cricket Club are sponsored by Bride Valley Motors.