Bournemouth opener Nick Park [James Robinson]
Bournemouth’s prospects of lifting the ECB Southern Premier Division championship for the first time since 2010, which looked so bright a month or so ago, have now almost diminished.
A fifth defeat in six matches – by two wickets against Bashley (Rydal) – has dropped Chris Park’s side into mid-table and some 39 points adrift of leaders South Wilts.
Trying batting conditions at the Bournemouth University maintained Chapel Gate aren’t helping anyone’s cause - only 258 runs being scored there in the rain trimmed 91 overs of the Bashley match.
Bournemouth made 133-8 off their 50 overs, with Bashley, chasing a reduced target of 122 off 42 overs, got home by two wickets.
Only Bournemouth opener Nick Park, who batted almost the entire innings for his 53, and Michael Porter, whose grafted 48 was a match winner for Bashley, showed the technique for survive.
Bournemouth skipper Chris Park reflected: “It was a disappointing result for us again. Unfortunately, we are just not scoring the runs at moment.
“The pitch had its part to play but we can’t blame it completely. Both teams had to bat on it.
“It was a game of small margins. There was a controversial six – was it caught inside or outside of the boundary ? – but for the first time this season our bowlers had an off day under pressure. To many wides (15) etc.
Focussed
“Regarding the pitch, the groundsman currently doing a great job in the circumstances. Having not played on C2 last year we are not sure why things have been like this, this season. Something for the new groundsman and University to sort out in September.
“We are fully focused to finish the season strong and as high up the table as we can. Every game there is something on it. Which can only be good for the league.”
Nick Park faced 137 deliveries for his 53 before being eighth man out at 128 – but what an important contribution it was, as he glued the Bournemouth innings together after two early strikes by Brad Currie (3-24) presented the lions with an uphill task.
Ollie Shrubsole (16), Chris Park (13) and latterly Robbie Pack (16 not out) gave Park support as rain affected play.
Bashley lost Jacob Gordon first ball and were soon 27-3 (Dan Conway 2-19), leaving Michael Porter to play a role similar to that of Park – and win the game for his side.
He ground out vital runs with Dan Andrew (20) but after the university student had become the first of three victims for Jake Hurley (3-29), Bashley lost wickets at regular intervals.
“It was hard going in very spin friendly conditions,” Porter revealed. “We are blessed at Bashley playing on flat tracks every other week so for the guys to knuckle down, score runs whilst facing a very good bowling attack, showed that we are learning how to score stubborn runs.
“Robbie Pack turned the ball yards on occasions and was almost unplayable.”
Porter was eventually run out at 106-7 and, when Mitch Wilson was bowled by Hurley at 114-8, Bournemouth sniffed victory.
But Sam Stroud settled Bashley nerves with two boundaries, the visitors getting home with an over to spare.
A fifth defeat in six matches – by two wickets against Bashley (Rydal) – has dropped Chris Park’s side into mid-table and some 39 points adrift of leaders South Wilts.
Trying batting conditions at the Bournemouth University maintained Chapel Gate aren’t helping anyone’s cause - only 258 runs being scored there in the rain trimmed 91 overs of the Bashley match.
Bournemouth made 133-8 off their 50 overs, with Bashley, chasing a reduced target of 122 off 42 overs, got home by two wickets.
Only Bournemouth opener Nick Park, who batted almost the entire innings for his 53, and Michael Porter, whose grafted 48 was a match winner for Bashley, showed the technique for survive.
Bournemouth skipper Chris Park reflected: “It was a disappointing result for us again. Unfortunately, we are just not scoring the runs at moment.
“The pitch had its part to play but we can’t blame it completely. Both teams had to bat on it.
“It was a game of small margins. There was a controversial six – was it caught inside or outside of the boundary ? – but for the first time this season our bowlers had an off day under pressure. To many wides (15) etc.
Focussed
“Regarding the pitch, the groundsman currently doing a great job in the circumstances. Having not played on C2 last year we are not sure why things have been like this, this season. Something for the new groundsman and University to sort out in September.
“We are fully focused to finish the season strong and as high up the table as we can. Every game there is something on it. Which can only be good for the league.”
Nick Park faced 137 deliveries for his 53 before being eighth man out at 128 – but what an important contribution it was, as he glued the Bournemouth innings together after two early strikes by Brad Currie (3-24) presented the lions with an uphill task.
Ollie Shrubsole (16), Chris Park (13) and latterly Robbie Pack (16 not out) gave Park support as rain affected play.
Bashley lost Jacob Gordon first ball and were soon 27-3 (Dan Conway 2-19), leaving Michael Porter to play a role similar to that of Park – and win the game for his side.
He ground out vital runs with Dan Andrew (20) but after the university student had become the first of three victims for Jake Hurley (3-29), Bashley lost wickets at regular intervals.
“It was hard going in very spin friendly conditions,” Porter revealed. “We are blessed at Bashley playing on flat tracks every other week so for the guys to knuckle down, score runs whilst facing a very good bowling attack, showed that we are learning how to score stubborn runs.
“Robbie Pack turned the ball yards on occasions and was almost unplayable.”
Porter was eventually run out at 106-7 and, when Mitch Wilson was bowled by Hurley at 114-8, Bournemouth sniffed victory.
But Sam Stroud settled Bashley nerves with two boundaries, the visitors getting home with an over to spare.
