Chris Park believes his Bournemouth are ready to challenge for a top three spot in the ECB Southern Premier Division after handing out a nine-wicket caning to defending 2019 champions Bashley (Rydal) on their own soil.
Speaking after the victory at the BCG, Lions skipper Park said: “We’ve beaten Burridge and Bashley in our last two matches and really should have won our opening game against St Cross Symondians - favourites for the title in many people’s eyes - and are really carrying on where we left off last season when we reached the League Cup final.
“We’ve carried the momentum through into this season and appear to be shaping up nicely, with the bowlers taking 28 wickets (out of 30) in the three games and the batters in good nick.”
Bournemouth certainly got it altogether against Bashley, dismissing the Premier title holders for 138 before cruising to an emphatic victory with best part of 18 overs to spare.
“We bowled well as a unit and fielded well, putting the Bashley batsmen under pressure and forcing them into mistakes,” Park reflected, singling out left-armer Simon Woodruff for special praise.
“Simon’s had a lot of injuries, so to come back and bowl ten overs in the heat and whip out three of their top seven was particularly pleasing.
“So too was the performance of Matthew King, who has just turned 16 years of age and took 2-18 on his first team debut, including the wicket of Michael Porter, the Bashley captain.
“I’m really thrilled for him, he’s going to be a great prospect, certainly one to watch.”
Speaking after the victory at the BCG, Lions skipper Park said: “We’ve beaten Burridge and Bashley in our last two matches and really should have won our opening game against St Cross Symondians - favourites for the title in many people’s eyes - and are really carrying on where we left off last season when we reached the League Cup final.
“We’ve carried the momentum through into this season and appear to be shaping up nicely, with the bowlers taking 28 wickets (out of 30) in the three games and the batters in good nick.”
Bournemouth certainly got it altogether against Bashley, dismissing the Premier title holders for 138 before cruising to an emphatic victory with best part of 18 overs to spare.
“We bowled well as a unit and fielded well, putting the Bashley batsmen under pressure and forcing them into mistakes,” Park reflected, singling out left-armer Simon Woodruff for special praise.
“Simon’s had a lot of injuries, so to come back and bowl ten overs in the heat and whip out three of their top seven was particularly pleasing.
“So too was the performance of Matthew King, who has just turned 16 years of age and took 2-18 on his first team debut, including the wicket of Michael Porter, the Bashley captain.
“I’m really thrilled for him, he’s going to be a great prospect, certainly one to watch.”
 Jacob Gordon glued Bashley together |  Matthew King two wickets on Lions debut [Photos Terry Nash] . |
Jacob Gordon, who seems to be improving with every visit to the crease, did his level best to glue the Bashley innings together, facing 113 balls before being ninth out for 54.
It was a concentrated effort, underlining the trait he learned in Australia this past winter by not giving his wicket away. Alas, he lacked any worthwhile support as Bashley sank deeper into the mire.
With Brad Currie still troubled by a hamstring injury, Bashley lacked the clout to do any damage with the ball and Bournemouth progressed comfortably to 78-0 before Josh Digby broke through and bowled Sam Collins (28).
Nick Park carried on and hit nine fours in an unbeaten 54, while Luke Webb, who seldom looks like getting out at all, struck the bad ball for four and finished with 39 not out.
It was a concentrated effort, underlining the trait he learned in Australia this past winter by not giving his wicket away. Alas, he lacked any worthwhile support as Bashley sank deeper into the mire.
With Brad Currie still troubled by a hamstring injury, Bashley lacked the clout to do any damage with the ball and Bournemouth progressed comfortably to 78-0 before Josh Digby broke through and bowled Sam Collins (28).
Nick Park carried on and hit nine fours in an unbeaten 54, while Luke Webb, who seldom looks like getting out at all, struck the bad ball for four and finished with 39 not out.
