Darren Cowley launched a brutal assault on the Bournemouth bowlers at Chapel Gate, lashing 61 off 36 balls to set up a two-wicket win for Lymington over the Lions and a second consecutive ECB Southern Premier Division victory for the visitors.
The 42-year old left-hand all-rounder, who played previously for Bournemouth, hit three on-side sixes and seven fours, dominating a 90-run partnership with South African youngster Gareth Schreuder, whose disciplined 61 was equally important as Lymington chased down Bournemouth’s 196 with time to spare.
Schreuder added 60 with Ryan Scott (24) after Lymington had slipped to 30-2, but was content to play a supporting role when Cowley (left) arrived at the crease to dominate proceedings.
Rediscovering glimpses of his form of old, Cowley scored 46 of his 61 runs in boundaries and with Schreuder alongside took Lymington to within sight of victory at 183-4 when the visitors lost three wickets in quick succession. The pair ought to have seen things through, but the wobble proved merely academic.
Earlier, Bournemouth’s initial progress was checked by a superb spell of new ball bowling by Matt Metcalfe (2-18), who extracted movement off the Chapel Gate surface and accounted for Jake Hurley and Dorset skipper Luke Webb, who had struck a boundary strewn 141 in the Lions’ win at Basingstoke the previous week.
Luke Matthews (49) steadied the ship, adding useful runs with Tom Robinson (24), but a more promising 82-2 became 116-5 after Cowley (3-48) broke through with his left-arm spin. Island teen spin Dan Cox took 2-40. Simon Woodruff (35) and Jake Gordon (25) rallied, but Bournemouth’s 196 was arguably 25 runs short of a competitive target.
The 42-year old left-hand all-rounder, who played previously for Bournemouth, hit three on-side sixes and seven fours, dominating a 90-run partnership with South African youngster Gareth Schreuder, whose disciplined 61 was equally important as Lymington chased down Bournemouth’s 196 with time to spare.
Schreuder added 60 with Ryan Scott (24) after Lymington had slipped to 30-2, but was content to play a supporting role when Cowley (left) arrived at the crease to dominate proceedings.
Rediscovering glimpses of his form of old, Cowley scored 46 of his 61 runs in boundaries and with Schreuder alongside took Lymington to within sight of victory at 183-4 when the visitors lost three wickets in quick succession. The pair ought to have seen things through, but the wobble proved merely academic.
Earlier, Bournemouth’s initial progress was checked by a superb spell of new ball bowling by Matt Metcalfe (2-18), who extracted movement off the Chapel Gate surface and accounted for Jake Hurley and Dorset skipper Luke Webb, who had struck a boundary strewn 141 in the Lions’ win at Basingstoke the previous week.
Luke Matthews (49) steadied the ship, adding useful runs with Tom Robinson (24), but a more promising 82-2 became 116-5 after Cowley (3-48) broke through with his left-arm spin. Island teen spin Dan Cox took 2-40. Simon Woodruff (35) and Jake Gordon (25) rallied, but Bournemouth’s 196 was arguably 25 runs short of a competitive target.
Gareth Schreuder plays nicely off his legs [Dave Reynolds]
