Cerne Valley beat Abbotsbury by 23 runs

ABBOTSBURY came up short with a disappointing batting display at fellow promotion contenders Cerne Valley after Harry Testa-Fisher’s superb bowling figures of 4-6 had given the Swans a chance to chase down a modest 190 target.

On a blisteringly hot afternoon where Abbotsbury were required to bowl first after losing the toss, the Swans made a superb start as Chas Duerdoth (2-31) continued his recent purple patch.

He removed Russ Hurford (0) lbw in the first over and had Neil Kellaway (1) caught at cover in the fifth with only 11 runs on the board.

READ MORE: Four wins on the bounce for Abbotsbury

Tom Atkinson (18) and David Baney (19) settled the home side by taking the score to 35 but Kynan Brian joined the attack to produce a corker to bowl Atkinson and further wickets fell at regular intervals as spinners Simon Pengelly (2-18) and Pankaj Nikale (1-43) had successful spells.

At 100-6, the Swans were looking to turn the screw but Cerne skipper Lloyd Mitchem (59) and Sam Downey (32) had other ideas as they launched a counter offensive as the Abbotsbury attack became more ragged, although the away side were convinced of an edge behind that was not given as Downey held his ground.

The breakthrough finally came when Testa-Fisher was brought into the attack as Rob Thomas safely pouched Downey at long off and then Mitchem was stumped as the home side looked to make maximum use of the final few overs.

Testa-Fisher then proceeded to polish off the tail as Cerne slumped from 181-6 to 189 all out.

In reply, Abbotsbury got off to a similarly poor start as their opponents had done as they fell to 15-2 after eight overs, Elliot Gunn (1) and Nick Kneebone (0) the departing batters, the latter falling to a stunning diving catch by Hurford, who conversely spilled three much easier chances during the innings.

However, with opener Simon Pengelly (25) dropping anchor, and Duerdoth (42) looking to attack the bowlers at every opportunity, the Swans moved on to 78 before Duerdoth tried one big hit too many which skied to deep cover, where Kellaway made a superbly-judged running catch over his shoulder.

There was still hope in the middle order for the Swans however with Pankaj Nikale (22) walloping two big sixes but there was a setback when Pengelly succumbed caught and bowled to Roger Edmunds (3-32).

Kynan Brian batted well again for his 29 but was bowled by Mitchem with the rate required climbing.

The incoming Simon Pittman hit a couple of lusty blows to the boundary but the Cerne attack was disciplined throughout the innings with Mitchem (3-18) impressing, and the lower order were not able to reignite the run chase.

Frank Pittman (4) was last to fall as the Abbotsbury innings was snuffed out in the 38th over to leave Cerne top with maximum points and three games left to play.