Adam Davies steers the ball on the off-side [James Robinson]
Dan Conway hit a boundary off the second ball of the last over to give Bournemouth a dramatic two-wicket win over Lymington and so keep their hopes of a place in the Grand Final of the Southern Premier League Cup alive.
But the real hero was Adam Davies, who hit a superb 80 not out as Bournemouth clawed back from an improbable 86-6 to overhaul Lymington’s 187-7 just in the nick of time.
Davies, who hit a six and eight fours in his critical 114-ball sojourn at the crease, glued the Bournemouth innings together after teenage spinner Dan Bailey, ‘on loan’ for the summer from nearby Sway, had reduced the lions to 42-4 with an eight-over spell of 4-11.
Bournemouth tumbled into subsequent and deeper trouble (at 86-6) before Davies – who previously played Sussex Premier League cricket for East Grinstead and St James’s Montefiore alongside representing Sussex YCs – eventually found a reliable partner in Robert Pack.
But the real hero was Adam Davies, who hit a superb 80 not out as Bournemouth clawed back from an improbable 86-6 to overhaul Lymington’s 187-7 just in the nick of time.
Davies, who hit a six and eight fours in his critical 114-ball sojourn at the crease, glued the Bournemouth innings together after teenage spinner Dan Bailey, ‘on loan’ for the summer from nearby Sway, had reduced the lions to 42-4 with an eight-over spell of 4-11.
Bournemouth tumbled into subsequent and deeper trouble (at 86-6) before Davies – who previously played Sussex Premier League cricket for East Grinstead and St James’s Montefiore alongside representing Sussex YCs – eventually found a reliable partner in Robert Pack.
 Adam Davies pulls another four |  Robert Pack launches a big six on to Lymington Town's soccer pitch. |
Pack, in typical style, took the attack to Lymington, whose young inexperienced attack conceded the initiative as the left-arm spin all-rounder grilled a run-a-ball 37, which included two big sixes.
The pair had almost doubled the Bournemouth total before Pack holed out to the influential Bailey at 163-7.
Bournemouth still needed another 25 to win but, while Davies remained resolute, Jake Hurley smacked a six in his quick fire ten, only to be caught off the first ball of Royan’s 40th and final over, with the visitors four short of victory at 184-8.
Conway, head coach at Clayesmore School and late of Herefordshire Minor Counties cricket, didn’t mess about and heaved Royan’s next ball to the mid-wicket boundary to clinch a thrilling victory.
The pair had almost doubled the Bournemouth total before Pack holed out to the influential Bailey at 163-7.
Bournemouth still needed another 25 to win but, while Davies remained resolute, Jake Hurley smacked a six in his quick fire ten, only to be caught off the first ball of Royan’s 40th and final over, with the visitors four short of victory at 184-8.
Conway, head coach at Clayesmore School and late of Herefordshire Minor Counties cricket, didn’t mess about and heaved Royan’s next ball to the mid-wicket boundary to clinch a thrilling victory.
Dan Conway wins it for Bournemouth
Cameron Robertson Earlier, youngsters Hugo Smith (33) and Royan (24) gave Lymington a 62-run start, but the advantage was frittered away as five wickets tumbled for 42 runs and the innings lurched to 104-5.
Gareth Schreuder (22) played a largely support role as Cameron Robertson hit 41 in a 73-run recovery – the pair both being dismissed by Tom Robinson, the latter to a boundary catch by Sam Collins in the twilight stages of the innings.
Bournemouth remain second in the West zone table, four points behind Bashley (Rydal), whom they play in their final qualifying match at the BCG on September 12.
The lions host New Milton in an eminently winnable affair at Chapel Gate next Saturday, while Bashley face a far sterner test at South Wilts.
Gareth Schreuder (22) played a largely support role as Cameron Robertson hit 41 in a 73-run recovery – the pair both being dismissed by Tom Robinson, the latter to a boundary catch by Sam Collins in the twilight stages of the innings.
Bournemouth remain second in the West zone table, four points behind Bashley (Rydal), whom they play in their final qualifying match at the BCG on September 12.
The lions host New Milton in an eminently winnable affair at Chapel Gate next Saturday, while Bashley face a far sterner test at South Wilts.
 Gareth Schreuder plays a delicate shot for one ... |  ... but is bemused by what happens soon after ! Clue: It was a straight ball from Tom Robinson ... |
