ABBOTSBURY 213-7 (20pts) beat BLANDFORD SECONDS 124 (5pts) by 88 runs

ABBOTSBURY claimed maximum points as they comfortably defeated Blandford Seconds in County Division Four.

Simon Pengelly anchored the first innings for the hosts with a strong 90 to help his side to a competitive score of 213-7, Chris Backhouse chipped in with a fine 59.

Wickets were shared around in the second innings as the home side skittled Blandford out for 124.

After winning the toss, Abbotsbury skipper Pengelly and opening partner Aaron Oliver got the Swans off to a decent start with a partnership of 36 before Oliver (17) was bowled off an inside edge against Blandford’s Joe Freak.

The home side then suffered a double blow as Joe Freak (2-28) struck again, pinning Steve Budd lbw for a duck.

He was swiftly followed by Nick Kneebone (1) who was run out.

The incoming Backhouse stopped the rot however, with a rapid half-century, which included nine boundaries before being bowled by Ed Moore (1-28).

Two further run-outs saw the demise of Chas Duerdoth (12) and Frank Pittman (2) but Pengelly remained resolute at the other end, his excellent innings finally ended in the last over as he was adjudged lbw by umpire Malcolm Bosomworth off the bowling of Simon Freak (1-38).

Chasing a target of 213, Blandford got off to a bad start as they lost Adam Wates (6) in the fourth over, Backhouse (1-26) claiming the wicket.

Kneebone spilled the simplest of chances when he dropped Ryan White (17), denying Grafton Straker a wicket, but he was reprieved when Straker got his man, aided by some low bounce, with the Swans’ veteran finishing with economical figures of 1-16 from his eight overs.

Blandford survived further losses until the 22nd over but after joint top scorer Simon Freak (20) edged Jay Lintern (1-26) behind into the gloves of Steve Budd, wickets fell regularly.

Pace bowler Duerdoth (4-19) claimed four victims while Pete Lawrence (2-3) chipped in with a brace as the away side folded to 124 all out, the result moving Abbotsbury up into second place behind leaders Charlton Down.

Next up for the Swans is a trip to Wareham and they will be in confident mood as they have gone five games without a win.

n Abbotsbury CC are sponsored by Bride Valley Motors