SWANAGE 321-9 (25pts) beat BRIDPORT 226 (9pts) by 95 runs

A TOP-CLASS century from Swanage batsman Dave Dyer plunged Bridport deeper into relegation trouble in Dorset Funeral Plan League Division One.

The former Surrey youngster smashed an unbeaten 187 to propel his side to a crucial victory in the race for survival.

The match had promised to be a nervy affair with both sides desperate to land the points and when asked to bat the Swanage openers got off to a slow and measured start.

But unfortunately for Bridport Adam Herring pulled up with a hamstring injury in his fourth over and left the field.

Although he later returned to bravely lend a hand in the outfield his overs were sorely missed.

Rob Atkins (3-39) replaced the seamer from the pavilion end of the ground and had an instant impact.

He knocked over three Swanage batsmen in his first three overs before Dyer and Chris Leak began the rescue mission.

The duo added 139 for the fourth wicket in quick time and broke the resolve of the Bridport fielders.

When Leak (53) was finally dismissed, stumped by Tweddle off Dave Herbert, a steady flow of wickets followed but the visitors failed to remove the crucial one of Dyer.

He continued to plunder boundaries - cashing in on the seam bowling from the sea end of the ground.

In all more than 200 runs were scored in 22 overs from that end with Dyer taking a liking to opener Chris Backhouse, then Will Everitt before a final assault on Danny Dancer.

At the other end a superb spell from Herbert earned him 4-36 in his 10 overs amid the destruction.

After tea Bridport had no option but to throw caution to the wind. However, Tweddle was removed by a superb delivery from Simon Dyson, the pick of the Swanage attack, before Atkins (97) laid into the new ball.

The latter rode his luck and plundered the bowling to all parts of the ground as Bridport raced along at 10 an over but after solid partnerships with Herbert and Challis he met his downfall.

Attempting one slog-sweep too many he was bowled three runs short of a century with the score on 152.

The remaining Bridport batsmen valiantly attempted to keep the chase going.

Mark Tozer (22), Lewis Stripp (21) and Martin Rowe (15) all struck useful contributions while Dancer was left unbeaten at the end but still miles short of victory.

DAY'S PARK SCOREBOARD

SWANAGE

Harris c Tweddle b Atkins 13

Bishop b Atkins 5

Dyer not out 187

Dyson c Stripp b Atkins 0

Leak st Tweddle b Herbert 53

P Kirby c Challis b Herbert 2

Thomas c Tozer b Herbert 9

King run out 8

White lbw Herbert 2

Barker run out 0

L Kirby not out 5

Extras 37

Total (9wkts, 45overs) 321

FoW: 1-30, 2-40, 3-45, 4-184, 5-215, 6-228, 7-242, 8-264, 9-288

Bowling: Herring 3.2-2-4-0; Backhouse 10-1-60-0; Atkins 9-1-39-3; Everitt 3-0-37-0; Herbert 10-0-36-4; Dancer 9-0-123-0; Tozer 0.4-0-9-0

BRIDPORT

Atkins b P Kirby 97

Tweddle b Dyson 0

Herbert c Dyer b Dyson 12

Challis b P Kirby 12

Backhouse c King b White 11

Tozer c King b Dyson 22

Stripp lbw Barker 20

Rowe b Barker 15

Dancer not out 9

Everitt b Leak 2

Herring lbw Leak 0

Extras 26

Total (all out, 34.4overs) 226

FoW: 1-31, 2-69, 3-108, 4-152, 5-153, 6-178, 7-211, 8-222, 9-226

Bowling: Leak 6.4-0-50-2; Dyson 8-1-26-3; Barker 9-0-63-2; P Kirby 6-2-47-2; White 5-0-29-1