CERNE VALLEY II 162-5 (7pts) lost to ABBOTSBURY 219-7 (18pts) by 57 runs

ABBOTSBURY grabbed their third win on the trot with victory over Cerne Valley Seconds at the Simsay Oval in County Division Four.

On a hot afternoon, Swans’ skipper Simon Pengelly had no hesitation in opting to bat first on winning the toss, but Cerne made the early breakthrough when Matt Webb (1-27) trapped Andrew Wood (7) leg before wicket.

A brief partnership between Pengelly and Nick Kneebone (10) was ended when the latter misjudged the length of a Lucie Spooner (1-27) delivery and was bowled.

Cerne had further success with the dismissal of Ashley Harrow (5) by a run-out as Abbotsbury were restricted to 55-3 after 16 overs.

However, with the in-form Chas Duerdoth at the crease, and with Pengelly also regularly hitting the boundary rope, the scoring rate increased sharply during a century stand between the pair.

Despite Cerne spinner Roger Edmunds (2-26) removing both batsman in quick succession, Pete Lawrence maintained the impetus with a rapid 30 not out as Abbotsbury closed on 219-7 after the allotted 40 overs.

In reply, Cerne lost a wicket in the second over as Will Downey lofted spinner Krish Subramanian (1-21) straight to Ashley Harrow at mid-off for a duck.

At the other end, Grafton Straker (0-25) did not concede a run in his first four overs as Cerne batsmen Mike Williams and Roger Edmunds played with a defensive mindset.

The second wicket finally arrived in the 22nd over as Williams (39) fell leg before to Duerdoth with the total on 77.

Soon afterwards, a direct hit from mid-wicket by Kneebone ran out Cerne skipper Mark Downey (4) and despite some good shots from Edmunds, with Straker receiving some punishment at the end of his spell, Cerne never looked likely to challenge the victory target.

Duerdoth (2-15) then returned to the attack to finally remove Edmunds (53) before Abbotsbury debutant Ian Hollison (1-4) also conjured a late wicket.

Cerne Valley eventually finished on 162-5 as Abbotsbury secured a comfortable victory.

Abbotsbury now sit sixth in the table on 73 points, two places above Cerne Valley and 30 points behind leaders Puddletown.

The Swans next face a tricky home game against unbeaten third-placed side Shaftesbury on Saturday.

*Abbotsbury CC are sponsored by Bride Valley Motors.