Bournemouth left-hander Simon Woodruff strikes anther four - while first slip James Hayward is ready to catch anything that comes his way [Roy Honeybone]
Bournemouth are 18 points clear at the top of the ECB Southern Premier Division after a four-wicket win at South Wilts, which has virtually put the Salisbury club out of contention.
They bossed 80 per cent of a rain truncated 34-over affair at Bemerton, reducing South Wilts to 116-8 before a late assault by Ben Huntley lifted the hosts to 151-8 – a target Bournemouth, motoring at eight an over for a lengthy spell, polished off in the 30th over.
With five of their last seven matches against teams in the bottom half of the table, Bournemouth are firmly in the driving seat, although skipper Chris Park is keeping his – and his team’s – feet firmly on the ground.
“Every team in this league is capable of beating each other, as is proving to be the case. There’s been a lot of wet weather recently and you only need to get stuck in on a damp track and get rolled over for things to quickly turn upside down,” he said.
“There’s a long way to go yet, but we won at important toss at Bemerton and, after the disappointment of losing to St Cross last week, produced a really positive performance.”
Up at the crack of dawn, Bemerton grounds team Jayden Atkinson and Tim Cowley worked overtime to get the game played at all – only half the scheduled 20 SPL round 10 matches surviving the overnight rain. Top four sides Bashley (Rydal) and St Cross Symondians were among those washed out.
With Dan Conway missing, teenager Ollie Breckon took the responsibility of leading the Bournemouth attack – and he shone through superbly.
He had Tom Morton caught behind early in his opening spell and New Milton-raised Raff Hussey nicked one behind later.
“Ollie had a lot of responsibility of his young shoulders and his figures of 2-12 of seven overs came against some of the top batters in the Premier League,” Park enthused.
Australian Peter Rowe (23), Jack Mynott (21), Ben Draper (19) and James Hayward all made starts, but with Luke Webb taking two spectacular catches, South Wilts seldom got on top and fell from 74-2 to 116-8, with Ed Denham taking 3-40.
They bossed 80 per cent of a rain truncated 34-over affair at Bemerton, reducing South Wilts to 116-8 before a late assault by Ben Huntley lifted the hosts to 151-8 – a target Bournemouth, motoring at eight an over for a lengthy spell, polished off in the 30th over.
With five of their last seven matches against teams in the bottom half of the table, Bournemouth are firmly in the driving seat, although skipper Chris Park is keeping his – and his team’s – feet firmly on the ground.
“Every team in this league is capable of beating each other, as is proving to be the case. There’s been a lot of wet weather recently and you only need to get stuck in on a damp track and get rolled over for things to quickly turn upside down,” he said.
“There’s a long way to go yet, but we won at important toss at Bemerton and, after the disappointment of losing to St Cross last week, produced a really positive performance.”
Up at the crack of dawn, Bemerton grounds team Jayden Atkinson and Tim Cowley worked overtime to get the game played at all – only half the scheduled 20 SPL round 10 matches surviving the overnight rain. Top four sides Bashley (Rydal) and St Cross Symondians were among those washed out.
With Dan Conway missing, teenager Ollie Breckon took the responsibility of leading the Bournemouth attack – and he shone through superbly.
He had Tom Morton caught behind early in his opening spell and New Milton-raised Raff Hussey nicked one behind later.
“Ollie had a lot of responsibility of his young shoulders and his figures of 2-12 of seven overs came against some of the top batters in the Premier League,” Park enthused.
Australian Peter Rowe (23), Jack Mynott (21), Ben Draper (19) and James Hayward all made starts, but with Luke Webb taking two spectacular catches, South Wilts seldom got on top and fell from 74-2 to 116-8, with Ed Denham taking 3-40.
Ben Huntley hit a straight six into the Bemerton car park
It was left to Ben Huntley (above) to revive the South Wilts innings. The burly farmer’s son from South Newton used his long left-hand reach to slap three huge sixes and two boundaries – his quick fire 37 not out lifting the hosts to 151-8
Bournemouth needed to score at 4.5 runs an over to reach their target, but wary of the threatening dark sky and rain close by over Broad Chalke set off a breakneck speed.
Nick Park hit two fours before bei.ng pouched at slip, but opening partner Luke Webb and left-hander Simon Woodruff had 88 on the electronic scoreboard in 11 overs.
Webb stuck a six and five fours his 32, while Woodruff, severe on anything pitched up, survived a spill (at 78-2) by a former South Wilts captain and went on to strike nine fours and a maximum in a stylish 66. One extra-cover drive to the scorebox boundary was particularly eye catching.
Bournemouth lost four wickets for 16 runs – three to Matt Burton (3-34) - after Woodruff was caught, but the outcome was never in doubt as the visitors strolled home with 29 balls to spare.
Bournemouth needed to score at 4.5 runs an over to reach their target, but wary of the threatening dark sky and rain close by over Broad Chalke set off a breakneck speed.
Nick Park hit two fours before bei.ng pouched at slip, but opening partner Luke Webb and left-hander Simon Woodruff had 88 on the electronic scoreboard in 11 overs.
Webb stuck a six and five fours his 32, while Woodruff, severe on anything pitched up, survived a spill (at 78-2) by a former South Wilts captain and went on to strike nine fours and a maximum in a stylish 66. One extra-cover drive to the scorebox boundary was particularly eye catching.
Bournemouth lost four wickets for 16 runs – three to Matt Burton (3-34) - after Woodruff was caught, but the outcome was never in doubt as the visitors strolled home with 29 balls to spare.
 Luke Webb goes skywards |  Matt Burton 21 wickets for the season |
