SKIPPER Chris Park called for Bournemouth to keep their foot on the gas after they had secured the Southern Premier League Division One title.
Relegated from the Premier Division in 2013, Lions will be back in the top flight next season after confirming promotion with a 116-run home win over Hook & Newnham Basics.
The victory was the Chapel Gate outfit’s 13th from 16 completed games this season, giving them an unassailable lead at the summit with one fixture remaining.
But captain Park insisted the hard work was not done and immediately targeted stability at the next level.
He said: “Promotion had been a target and a plan for the past three years of me being at the club. We attracted new players and it came to fruition this year.
“All season we have played really good cricket and I can’t fault the effort of the lads and the committee.
“Everything has been absolutely top drawer and it was nice to get the points and a good win.
“It was great to see all the young lads winning something for the first time. It’s brilliant we have done it this year but, as soon as the season finishes, we need to concentrate and plan for next year.
“We will sit down at the end of the season to plan ahead. We have mostly young lads getting more experience every season.
“As long as we can keep them together, we are looking to stabilise ourselves in the Premier Division next year.”
A hand injury forced regular wicketkeeper Park to hand the gloves to Simon Woodruff for the encounter against Hook, who could finish as low as third from bottom having lost a significant number of players since last season.
Dom Clutterbuck [pictured - Bournemouth Echo] top scored with 38 for the hosts, who had won the toss and posted a challenging 216 for nine having elected to bat first.
Left-arm spinner Clutterbuck also picked up three for 18 with the ball as the visitors were dismissed for a miserly 100 (Harry Warner 41) in reply. Spinners Jem Warner (3-16) and Rob Pack (3-21) also impressed.
Asked what the club did to celebrate, captain Park replied: “We have a fines committee and get fined every week for silly things. We spent that money on a barbecue and bar bill on Saturday. Hopefully, there is a bit left which we can celebrate with after the Calmore Sports game at Loperwood Park.”
Relegated from the Premier Division in 2013, Lions will be back in the top flight next season after confirming promotion with a 116-run home win over Hook & Newnham Basics.
The victory was the Chapel Gate outfit’s 13th from 16 completed games this season, giving them an unassailable lead at the summit with one fixture remaining.
But captain Park insisted the hard work was not done and immediately targeted stability at the next level.
He said: “Promotion had been a target and a plan for the past three years of me being at the club. We attracted new players and it came to fruition this year.
“All season we have played really good cricket and I can’t fault the effort of the lads and the committee.
“Everything has been absolutely top drawer and it was nice to get the points and a good win.
“It was great to see all the young lads winning something for the first time. It’s brilliant we have done it this year but, as soon as the season finishes, we need to concentrate and plan for next year.
“We will sit down at the end of the season to plan ahead. We have mostly young lads getting more experience every season.
“As long as we can keep them together, we are looking to stabilise ourselves in the Premier Division next year.”
A hand injury forced regular wicketkeeper Park to hand the gloves to Simon Woodruff for the encounter against Hook, who could finish as low as third from bottom having lost a significant number of players since last season.
Dom Clutterbuck [pictured - Bournemouth Echo] top scored with 38 for the hosts, who had won the toss and posted a challenging 216 for nine having elected to bat first.
Left-arm spinner Clutterbuck also picked up three for 18 with the ball as the visitors were dismissed for a miserly 100 (Harry Warner 41) in reply. Spinners Jem Warner (3-16) and Rob Pack (3-21) also impressed.
Asked what the club did to celebrate, captain Park replied: “We have a fines committee and get fined every week for silly things. We spent that money on a barbecue and bar bill on Saturday. Hopefully, there is a bit left which we can celebrate with after the Calmore Sports game at Loperwood Park.”
