ABBOTSBURY 127-4 (20pts) beat CHALKE VALLEY 125 (5pts) by six wickets

ABBOTSBURY bounced back from defeat against Shaftesbury with an ultimately comfortable home win over Chalke Valley in County Division Four.

Swans’ skipper Simon Pengelly made the decision to bowl first after winning the toss on a sunny afternoon in Abbotsbury.

With regular opening bowler Chas Duerdoth unable to start the game due to a late arrival, Pengelly (2-10) chose to open with his gentle off-spin, while seamer Grafton Straker completed the opening attack at the pavilion end.

Within four overs both Chalke Valley openers contrived to lose their wickets, with a missed swipe at a Pengelly full toss seeing Anthony Mercer (1) bowled and a similar delivery from the same bowler being top edged by Ian Lawrence (2) to Richard Deakin at mid-wicket.

Duerdoth (3-39) was added to the attack but the Abbotsbury paceman started with three wides and was smited for a straight six by Hugh Hitchings (34) in a ragged opening over.

At the other end, Straker (0-30) was bowling his best spell of the season but was unlucky not to take a wicket as several mistimed hits dropped into gaps in the field.

Hitchings and Kevin Monoghan (51) also hit some fine shots though during a fruitful partnership of 62 which was finally ended as Hitchings was beaten by a ripper from Chris Backhouse (3-28).

Soon afterwards, the burly spinner followed up with the wicket of Stephen Warrack (0), Pengelly taking a good low catch at mid-on.

Duerdoth switched ends and delivered an inspired spell of swing bowling, accounting for three batsmen in four overs, while Backhouse finally removed Monaghan after he missed a slog sweep.

Jay Lintern (2-11) then joined the party to remove the remaining two Chalke Valley batsmen as the away side folded to 125 all out.

In reply, Abbotsbury suffered a calamitous start at 12-3 after 10 overs, with Martin Clements (2-8) particularly impressive.

Opener Simon Pittman (18) was resolute, however, and Backhouse quickly displayed some imperious hitting to erode the away side’s hopes of snatching a victory.

Pittman’s slow but important innings was ended in the 28th over by Mercer (1-11) but Backhouse (68no) was immovable in a knock which saw four sixes.

Duerdoth (20no) then hit the winning boundary as Abbotsbury romped home with eight overs left.