ABBOTSBURY 194-7 (10pts) lost to WIMBORNE & COLEHILL III 201-6 (18pts) by seven runs

A SPARKLING innings by Chas Duerdoth (73) was not quite enough for Abbotsbury as the Swans fell seven runs short of early season leaders Wimborne and Colehill Thirds in County Division Four.

On a sunny afternoon in Abbotsbury, the visitors won the toss and elected to bat and their openers Kevin Hall (7) and Ollie Woodruff (2) were separated in the fourth over, as Pengelly picked up a sharp catch in the slip cordon to dismiss Woodruff off the bowling of Kynan Brian.

Hall also fell cheaply but Jon Wilton (30) dealt Chas Duerdoth (1-40) some punishment before the Abbotsbury paceman struck back by removing his leg stump.

A good fourth wicket partnership of 77 between Andrew Charters (21) and Craig Jerrard moved the visitors’ total to 122 before Pete Bustin (2-15) returned for a second spell and trapped Charters lbw.

However, Jerrard (105no) proved immoveable in compiling an unbeaten century to help the away side post a target of 201.

In reply, Abbotsbury suffered an early setback as skipper Simon Pengelly (2) was bowled by Woodruff (1-24) in the third over.

Ashley Harrow (30) continued his good form with the bat but Nick Kneebone fell for just six runs to bring Duerdoth to the crease at 38-2 in the 13th over.

Initially circumspect, the Swans’ all-rounder exploded into life with some savage hitting to haul the hosts back into winning contention, with good support from Simon Pittman (11) and Kynan Brian (31no).

However, the visitors finally made the breakthrough they craved when Duerdoth was given out stumped off the bowling of Jerrard (2-49) still 53 runs short of the victory target.

The incoming Pete Bustin (9) briefly maintained the momentum with a couple of fours before being run out and David Worsdell chipped in with 19 in a partnership with Brian, but the Abbotsbury batsmen could not quite find the boundaries required in the closing overs that would have snatched victory for the Swans.

The result leaves the Swans third in the table following the maximum points accrued in the previous weekend’s victory in the season opener against Bradford Abbas. Abbotsbury host Royal Challengers Sports on Saturday.

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