STURMINSTER & HINTON 197-8 (20pts) beat ABBOTSBURY 172 (8pts) by 25 runs

ABBOTSBURY’S promotion ambitions suffered a big blow as they came up short against a resurgent Sturminster & Hinton side in County Division Four.

Sturminster captain Garry Horne elected to bat first and his side made a steady start in putting on 30 for the first wicket.

Simon Allen (1-31) found some extra bounce that Adrian Rose (11) could only fend to Frank Pittman at first slip but the Abbotsbury bowlers found a further breakthrough elusive as the incoming Andy Beale (34) and opener Sam Scott (65) batted with increasing confidence.

After a flurry of boundaries from Scott, the opener was finally removed when skipper Simon Pengelly brought spinner Aaron Oliver into the attack, who beat the outside edge to find the off stump.

Oliver (4-53) struck again in successive overs as the away side slipped to 124-4 with eight overs remaining but some strong hitting from Austen Cornell (31), AJ Rose (21) and Chris Job (15) guided the away side to maximum batting points.

Despite a late flurry of four wickets in the final two overs, Sturminster were able to post a stiff target of 197 for the Swans to chase.

In reply, Abbotsbury suffered an early blow when Stuart Gill (3) was bowled by Garry Horne (2-24) but Pengelly and Steve Budd looked to dig in to deny the Sturminster attack any more success.

However, with the score on 32 in the 12th over Pengelly (19) missed a straight one from Horne and tight bowling saw the run-rate required steadily climb.

However, Nick Kneebone (37) and Budd (24) kept their wickets intact in a patient partnership of 53 before Budd was stumped attempting to launch slow bowler Chris Job (1-36) over the top.

With the belligerent Chas Duerdoth now at the crease, the match started to swing back in Abbotsbury’s favour. Job in particular was targeted as his final over went for 19.

Rose (4-36) returned for a second spell however, and crucially removed Duerdoth (23) as the Swans all-rounder fished at a wide ball to edge behind.

The Abbotsbury middle order then proceeded to crumble as Rose dismissed Kneebone, Simon Allen (4) and Pete Lawrence (1) in quick succession before Pittman resisted with 26 before being stumped.

Jay Lintern chipped in with 10 not out but the target proved out of reach as the Swans fell short by 25 runs.