SWANAGE II 111 (3pts) lost to ABBOTSBURY 112-3 (20pts) by seven wickets

A SUPERB all-round performance by Chas Duerdoth ensured that Abbotsbury secured another victory in County Division Four in the battle of the Swans.

Swanage were asked to bat first on a green wicket by stand in Abbotsbury skipper Aaron Oliver and, despite an expensive first over from veteran Grafton Straker that went for 10, Straker and bowling partner Chas Duerdoth were soon into their stride.

Straker (1-22) struck first when he had Matt Beard (8) caught at cover while Duerdoth was to prove unplayable.

Bowling with real menace and great accuracy the Swanage batsmen were unable to cope with the rampaging paceman.

Two successive wicket maidens and another dismissal in the

following over saw Swanage reduced to 23-4 and, with only two runs scored off the bat during his eight over spell, Duerdoth finished with magnificent figures of 3-4.

Jay Lintern (1-17) joined the party with a wicket off his first ball, bowling Chris Wood (5) around his legs, but middle order batsmen Andy Baczala (26) and Peter Barker (24) sparked a mini revival for the hosts with a partnership of 46.

However, left-arm spinner Oliver (3-15) removed both batsmen and, at the other end, fellow spinner Chris Backhouse (2-18) was also successful.

The final Swanage wicket fell in the penultimate over to leave Abbotsbury a target of 112 to chase for victory.

Following the break, Abbotsbury openers Oliver and Nick Kneebone played steadily in the opening overs but Kneebone (10) fell to the medium pace of Peter Barker (1-16) and Oliver (6) soon followed when he was caught behind off Swanage seamer Beard (2-27).

Coming in at three, Kynan Brian had an uncertain start but grew in confidence as his innings progressed which included a beautifully hit straight six off Beard.

Will Ripsher (13) also struck a towering maximum before being yorked by Beard and simultaneously breaking his bat in two.

However, Duerdoth (32 not out) came to the crease and, despite not quite finding his best batting form, an unbroken partnership with Brian (29 not out) saw Abbotsbury comfortably over the line, Duerdoth finished proceedings with a big six over long on.

The result leaves Abbotsbury in second place at the halfway stage of the season, 12 points behind leaders Charlton Down.

* Abbotsbury CC are sponsored by Bride Valley Motors.