ABBOTSBURY 137 (18pts) beat WAREHAM 88 (6pts) by 49 runs

AN EXCELLENT bowling performance made up for a poor batting display by Abbotsbury as they defeated Wareham in County Division Four.

With several key players missing, Swans’ vice-captain Steve Budd decided to shuffle the usual line up, putting Simon Allen and Robin Potter at the top of the batting order. With Potter playing the anchorman role and Allen in a more attacking mode against the Wareham opening attack of Jamie Whyte (0-19) and Martin Upshall (2-19), the pair took the score on to 29 before Allen (17) skied the ball up to be caught off the bowling of Whyte.

Potter (4) followed when he was bowled by Stuart Paton (3-31), who then swiftly grabbed a second wicket, the incoming Frank Pittman (3) falling to a leg before decision.

Kynan Brian, batting at number three, contributed 14 runs but the Swans were unable to build any substantial batting partnerships as the Wareham attack continued to take wickets.

Chas Duerdoth (24) benefited from a dropped catch and was threatening the big innings that Abbotsbury required when he mistimed a drive and holed out to the same fielder, who made no mistake second time round.

The tail was unable to wag and safe catching in the outfield allowed the hosts to dismiss the Swans for a modest 137, of which extras contributed 35.

In defending a low total, Abbotsbury needed to strike early and they did just that as spinner Krish Subramanian (2-11) got the breakthrough in the first over, bowling James Paton for a duck.

Fellow opening bowler Duerdoth (4-15) then got in the act, bowling Wareham captain Martin Upshall for just two. He then produced a double wicket maiden in his fourth over to leave the hosts reeling on 16-5.

That soon became 24-7 as Duerdoth and Subramanian both claimed a further scalp, while the latter’s replacement, Jay Lintern, (1-27) removed Reece Whitty (2), aided by an excellent low catch at mid-on by Nick Kneebone.

Some late order hitting from Stuart Paton (11) and Jamie Upshall (22no) moved the score past the 70 mark and raised home hopes of an unlikely win. However, an accurate throw from Duerdoth allowed wicketkeeper Budd to run out Paton and a magnificent flying catch behind the stumps by Budd removed Upshall.

Wareham number 11 Ryan Snook (12) then struck three boundaries but he was bowled by Pete Lawrence’s (1-14), to give Abbotsbury a 49-run victory.