ABBOTSBURY 142-8 (20pts) beat CATTISTOCK & SYMENE II 120 (6pts) by 22 runs

ABBOTSBURY’S bowling attack ensured a fourth County Division Three win on the trot against previously unbeaten Cattistock & Symene Seconds as the Swans continued their climb up the table.

Alex Drew returned to the team after a two-game absence and joined Simon Pengelly to open the batting for the Swans.

The pair put on a solid base of 67 before Drew (32) was bowled by Graham Bartlett (3-24) and shortly afterwards the incoming Ashley Harrow (4) departed in the same manner.

READ MORE: Simon Pengelly blasts unbeaten century in Abbotsbury win

Bartlett and the economical Sam Challis (1-15) slowed the run rate to a crawl as the Swans’ batting crumbled further, Pengelly (26) becoming Bartlett’s next victim and Duerdoth (0) was sent back caught and bowled by Challis to leave the home side struggling on 73-4.

Fortunately for the Swans, Kynan Brian maintained his sparkling batting – including one of the largest sixes ever seen at Abbotsbury, clearing the river at the bottom of the woods.

But apart from Rob Thomas with a useful 11 not out none of the lower order batters could produce an innings of note as Abbotsbury finished on a disappointing 142-9, James Boulton (2-16) and Robin Jones (2-29) among the Foxes’ bowlers to impress.

The Swans’ bowlers needed early wickets in response and Elliot Gunn (3-25) and Chas Duerdoth (2-21) delivered by dismissing openers Reuben Kingston (7) and Challis (3) cheaply.

Pengelly was next to pick up a wicket with Ethan Robertson caught, leaving the Foxes on 39-3.

Harry Angel (49) and Jack Bartlett (15) steadied away nerves with a partnership of 43 that appeared to be pushing Cattistock & Symene to a routine win.

However, Pengelly (4-30) whittled out three quick wickets and Duerdoth crucially dismissed Angel one run short of his half-century as the batting side collapsed to 99-7.

The tail threatened to wag but Gunn returned to bowl Boulton (11) and Ben Strong (2) and the Swans sealed victory in the 33rd over when Avid Alam (1-21) trapped number 11 Damian Barnard (2) lbw for a victory that sees the Swans soar up to third place.

Abbotsbury travel to unbeaten league leaders Cerne Valley today (1.30pm) after losing to their opponents by nine wickets in the Dorchester & District Evening League on Tuesday.