ABBOTSBURY 179-9 (19pts) beat STURMINSTER & H 164-9 (11pts) by 15 runs

ABBOTSBURY maintained their winning start to the season with an excellent team performance at Sturminster & Hinton in County Division Four.

Abbotsbury openers Simon Pengelly (17) and Stuart Gill (14) got the Swans off to a decent start before Gill’s off stump was tickled by a Gary Horne (2-24) delivery in the fifth over with the score on 28.

Pengelly was next to fall but a circumspect approach by Nick Kneebone and Steve Budd nudged the total on to 100 before Budd (36) was bowled attempting to break the shackles enforced by slow right-armer Chris Job (2-32). Chas Duerdoth (1) soon followed when a risky attempted leg bye led to a run-out.

Disciplined bowling continued to restrict the Abbotsbury batsmen with only 110 runs on the board after the 32nd over.

However, despite a flurry of late wickets, Nick Kneebone (55 not out) proved immovable and with support from Frank Pittman (16), Aaron Oliver (8) and Pete Lawrence (7) the Swans were able to post a competitive total of 179.

In reply, the home batsmen took a conservative approach as paceman Chas Duerdoth and spinner Aaron Oliver bowled with control.

It was a bowling change that brought the breakthrough as Pete Lawrence (2-12) trapped Chris Read (4) leg before with his second ball.

Two balls later a wide delivery was cut hard to point where Aaron Oliver took an absolutely stunning full-length catch low to his left to remove a disbelieving Andy Beale for a duck. Oliver then had further success as he bowled Austen Cornell (7) before finishing his spell with 1-17.

Opener Ted Rose (36) was finally dismissed by Simon Pengelly’s (1- 35) off spin but middle order duo of AJ Rose (29) and Chris Job (25) kept Sturminster in the hunt, with Job in particular an attacking threat before being caught in the deep off the bowling of Chris Backhouse (3-33).

Rose edged the returning Duerdoth (2-30) into the gloves of Steve Budd and the home side’s challenge faded as they fell further behind the required run rate.

Sam Scott played some nice shots for his 25 but wickets continued to fall and Sturminster finished on 156-9.

Abbotsbury skipper Simon Pengelly said: “It was a strong team performance.

“Special mentions should go to Nick Kneebone for his 55 not out gluing the innings together on a slow pitch and to Pete Lawrence for two important wickets early on, including a stunning catch by Aaron Oliver.”