Broadstone Seconds beat Abbotsbury by seven wickets

ABBOTSBURY put in a dismal performance as they were well beaten by promotion-chasing Broadstone Seconds in County Division Three.

On a hot afternoon, Swans’ skipper David Worsdell had no hesitation in asking Broadstone to bowl first at the Delph, with a fast outfield conducive to run scoring. 

The top of the batting order was bolstered by the return of Alex Drew following his tying of the knot in Las Vegas and early signs looked good with a couple of firm shots to the boundary. 

However, Drew (9) departed after he middled one straight to mid-wicket off the bowling of Henry Ostling (4-37). 

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That brought Nick Kneebone (12) to the crease who immediately got off the mark with a cover drive for four but he was undone by a short ball from Abe Churchill (1-24) which elicited a mistimed hook shot that looped to square leg for a simple catch. 

Simon Pengelly (37) and the incoming Chas Duerdoth (23) then put together a fairly untroubled partnership of 37 until it was terminated by a farcical run out that removed the Swans’ opener.

Pengelly was convinced that his straight drive had reached the boundary and was at the non-striker’s end with Duerdoth when he realised it had just been kept in. 

A desperate charge back was in vain as a disgruntled Pengelly had to trudge off the pitch and worse was to follow as Duerdoth was also unnecessarily run out when Worsdell called for a quick single. 

Simon Pittman swatted four boundaries in a quickfire 21 and Worsdell contributed 22 but both were bowled by Aaron Hemmings (2-22), and while Ashley Harrow hung around for an unbeaten 28 the Swans were bowled out in the final over for an under-par 203.

After the changeover, Abbotsbury had early success when Duerdoth extracted some extra bounce that took the edge of Simon Wildbur’s (5) bat and into the gloves of Worsdell. 

It could have been even better for the Swans had Richard Poole’s cut shot not evaded the hands of Kneebone at point but 68 runs had been scored before Poole (33) was eventually dismissed lofting a Pengelly delivery into the safe hands of Harrow. 

Another wicket also fell to spin when Pankaj Nikale (1-40) removed Daniel Smith (14) lbw but not before another 48 runs had been added to the total. 

With Duerdoth being uncharacteristically ragged and with no bowler consistently stemming the runs, the Abbotsbury attack were unable to put any pressure on the batters. 

Broadstone skipper Smith (59no) was also playing superbly and Alex Warren (41no) grew in confidence in an innings that included three maximums. 

With the Swans also contributing a remarkable 44 wides to the total the home side were able to cruise to victory with 11 overs to spare.

The Swans will be hoping for a much better performance and result when Bere Regis Seconds visit Abbotsbury today (1.30pm).