 Ben Draper works a shot off his legs on his way to a personal Southern Premier Division best 106 not out against Bournemouth at Chapel Gate. Right, all that winter training in the gym pays off as Robbie Pack hits a massive six towards Bournemouth international airport and knocking Ryanair profits in the process. Roy Honeybone pictures the action. . |  |
Ben Draper made his highest ECB Southern Premier Division score, but was unable to prevent South Wilts slipping to a two-wicket defeat at Bournemouth, which may have put paid to their title aspirations.
Draper made an unbeaten 106 out of a South Wilts total of 191 and looked as though he might have a chance of finishing on the winning side when Bournemouth dropped to 161-7.
But his prospects of an unlikely celebration were dulled when Bournemouth’s Robbie Pack struck two mighty sixes late on to seal a tense victory for the Chapel Gate outfit.
The defeat ended South Wilts’ mini revival and left them effectively 39 points adrift of leaders Bashley (Rydal) going into the final five ‘white ball’ 50-over matches of the season.
Draper’s 106 was his second in South Wilts colours (he made 100 v St Cross Symondians last summer) and came with South Wilts were reeling at 25-4 after a three-wicket new-ball blast by Dan Conway, who finished with 5-43.
Draper’s 76-run stand with Raff Hussey (24) enabled South Wilts to partially rebuild the innings, but with Jeremy Warner taking 3-27 and wicketkeeper Chris Park snapping up four catches, he ran out of partners.
Bournemouth lost Luke Webb early, but Nick Park (51) and Adam Davies (41) progressed the Lions reply to 89 before a mid-innings wobble, created by Jack Mynott (3-56), Steve Warner and latterly Will Harries (3-39), left them 12 runs short with three wickets left.
South Wilts sniffed an improbable chance, but Robbie Pack struck two fours then two mighty sixes to settle matters once and for all.
The two-wicket win lifted Bournemouth 35 points clear of Basingstoke & North Hants; the defeat effectively 39 points behind Bashley (Rydal) at the top.
Delighted Bournemouth skipper Chris Park said: ““It was a great result and to finally get over the line in a close game is hopefully a big confidence boost to the lads that we can win.
“I’ve said all season I believe in the players. Individually they are good enough to play at this level. Getting over the line was a massive bonus.”
“Rob’s little cameo at the end was the icing on the cake to what was a great team performance. Our bowling attack has been first-class all year. Conners (Dan Conway) has been bowling as well as ever all season and has probably not got the wickets he deserved.
“For him to get three early wickets and to have South Wilts on the back foot at 24-4 was a great start. The lads just continued it all the way through.
“Nick and Adam Davies put on a really solid partnership to put us in a good position. We did have a little wobble and the nerves crept in but Rob put that to bed very quickly with two huge sixes and two fours.”
Draper made an unbeaten 106 out of a South Wilts total of 191 and looked as though he might have a chance of finishing on the winning side when Bournemouth dropped to 161-7.
But his prospects of an unlikely celebration were dulled when Bournemouth’s Robbie Pack struck two mighty sixes late on to seal a tense victory for the Chapel Gate outfit.
The defeat ended South Wilts’ mini revival and left them effectively 39 points adrift of leaders Bashley (Rydal) going into the final five ‘white ball’ 50-over matches of the season.
Draper’s 106 was his second in South Wilts colours (he made 100 v St Cross Symondians last summer) and came with South Wilts were reeling at 25-4 after a three-wicket new-ball blast by Dan Conway, who finished with 5-43.
Draper’s 76-run stand with Raff Hussey (24) enabled South Wilts to partially rebuild the innings, but with Jeremy Warner taking 3-27 and wicketkeeper Chris Park snapping up four catches, he ran out of partners.
Bournemouth lost Luke Webb early, but Nick Park (51) and Adam Davies (41) progressed the Lions reply to 89 before a mid-innings wobble, created by Jack Mynott (3-56), Steve Warner and latterly Will Harries (3-39), left them 12 runs short with three wickets left.
South Wilts sniffed an improbable chance, but Robbie Pack struck two fours then two mighty sixes to settle matters once and for all.
The two-wicket win lifted Bournemouth 35 points clear of Basingstoke & North Hants; the defeat effectively 39 points behind Bashley (Rydal) at the top.
Delighted Bournemouth skipper Chris Park said: ““It was a great result and to finally get over the line in a close game is hopefully a big confidence boost to the lads that we can win.
“I’ve said all season I believe in the players. Individually they are good enough to play at this level. Getting over the line was a massive bonus.”
“Rob’s little cameo at the end was the icing on the cake to what was a great team performance. Our bowling attack has been first-class all year. Conners (Dan Conway) has been bowling as well as ever all season and has probably not got the wickets he deserved.
“For him to get three early wickets and to have South Wilts on the back foot at 24-4 was a great start. The lads just continued it all the way through.
“Nick and Adam Davies put on a really solid partnership to put us in a good position. We did have a little wobble and the nerves crept in but Rob put that to bed very quickly with two huge sixes and two fours.”
Dan Conway (5-42) wrecked South Wilts' top order.
