ABBOTSBURY 233-3 (19pts) beat HAMWORTHY II 129-7 (5pts) by 104 runs

AN IMPERIOUS century by Swans batter Simon Pengelly ensured Abbotsbury made it back-to-back wins in County Division Three with a comfortable victory over bottom-placed Hamworthy Seconds.

Abbotsbury batted first with Pengelly and Ashley Harrow at the top of the order and the pair put on a solid opening partnership of 65 before Harrow (12) was trapped lbw by Thomas Knight (1-25).

The Swans soon found themselves two down when the incoming Nick Kneebone (5) edged one to the wicketkeeper off the last ball of Bryan Kelly’s (1-22) spell.

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However, with the arrival of Kynan Brian, Abbotsbury had two in-form batters at the crease and while Pengelly rode his luck a little early on with top-edged pull shots twice landing safely between fielders, the duo punished the Hamworthy attack with a century partnership.

Brian’s brisk innings of 75 included a magnificent straight six before eventually being caught and bowled by Fisher (1-41) but there was no respite for Hamworthy as Chas Duerdoth’s quickfire 24 not out maintained the run rate.

Pengelly reached his ton with his 12th boundary in the final over of the innings as the Swans posted a total of 233.

Hamworthy's hopes were dealt an early blow with the loss of two wickets to Duerdoth (2-7) in the seventh over of their reply, the first courtesy of an astonishing one-handed reflex catch by Kneebone at gully diving to his left to dismiss Greg Regan (4) and then Knight (0) departing next ball lbw without offering a shot.

Hamworthy skipper Gordon Fraiser showed some attacking intent with 32 before being bowled by spinner Pankaj Nikale (2-20) for the first of his two wickets but the away side then dropped anchor as the score only moved to 100-4 after 35 overs.

With wickets required for additional bowling points, Swans skipper David Worsdell turned to the occasional leg spin of Kneebone (3-18) which remarkably paid dividends as he bowled three batters including opener Tim Wood (34) while Harry Testa-Fisher (0-20) was unlucky to finish wicketless from his eight overs as Hamworthy finished up on 129-7.

The win moved Abbotsbury into fourth spot in the table ahead of Saturday's visit Martinstown Seconds, who sit fifth (1.30pm).