ABBOTSBURY 110-3 (17pts) beat STURMINSTER & HINTON 109-4 (3pts) by 7 wickets

ABBOTSBURY beat the weather and the opposition as a captain’s innings by Simon Pengelly ensured success for the Swans in County Division Four.

Heavy rain delayed the start of the match at Abbotsbury but, with the covers protecting the pitch, play was finally able to commence with the match reduced to 27 overs a side.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, skipper Pengelly brought his off-spin into the opening bowling attack along with the pace of Chas Duerdoth, with the damp outfield expected to slow the scoring rate for the batting side.

The Swans did not have to wait long for the first wicket as Andy Beale (0) guided a Pengelly (2-16) long hop to point where Kynan Brian safely clung on.

With the pitch delivering some variable bounce, batting was not an easy task and the Sturminster cause was not helped when opener Adrian Rose (18no) had to retire hurt due to a pulled hamstring.

However, the score reached 50 without further loss before an accurate pick up and throw by Nick Kneebone ran out AJ Rose (21) attempting a quick single.

James Green threatened to significantly boost the away side’s total as he cleared the boundary twice in a quickfire 25 that was snuffed out by Pengelly’s fine catch on the straight boundary, off the bowling of Pete Lawrence (1-22).

Simon Pittman also took a well-judged catch on the rope to dismiss Chris Job as Sturminster completed their innings on 109-4.

In reply, Swans’ openers Simon Pengelly and Frank Pittman survived the first six overs intact but Pittman (4) was first to fall when he sent a return catch back to Sturminster bowler Andrew Beale (1-13). The incoming Nick Kneebone (1) swiftly followed when he was trapped to AJ Rose (2-22) and when Kynan Brian (3) edged behind the Swans were struggling at 32-3.

However, Sturminster suffered more injury woes when Chris Job (0-9) was forced to pull out of the bowling attack with another pulled hamstring and Pengelly was a given a life early in his innings as a simple catch was spilt at point, which was to prove crucial.

With Ashley Harrow (18no) also the beneficiary of no less than three missed catching opportunities, the Abbotsbury pair pushed the score towards the target, with Pengelly (74no) becoming increasingly dominant as his innings progressed.

Victory arrived with a single in the 25th over which sees the Swans in sixth place in the table, 10 points behind Sturminster, who lie in fourth.