ABBOTSBURY 164-6 (19pts) beat PUDDLETOWN 143 (6pts) by 21 runs

ABBOTSBURY recorded their first victory in five games in a see-saw encounter at Puddletown in County Division Four.

Krishnan Subramanian smashed an unbeaten 45 to save Abbotsbury’s first innings before Simon Pengelly starred with the ball to give the visitors a narrow win.

A steady opening stand of 27 was ended in the 11th over when Aaron Oliver (7) swatted a catch to mid-wicket off the bowling of David Morris (4-19).

Nick Kneebone’s run of poor form continued shortly afterwards when Morris breached his defence and then the incoming Chas Duerdoth (9) was caught attempting to launch Chris Fairman (1-29) over the ropes.

The Swans soon slumped to 57-5, with the in form Pengelly (23) caught in the slips and Ashley Harrow (4) given out lbw.

With the lower order exposed, a sub-100 total appeared a distinct possibility but Subramanian had other ideas.

An early smashed six over midwicket signalled his intent.

At the other end, Frank Pittman was also finding the middle of the bat, hitting five fours in an innings of 38 before being caught by Tim Orford off the bowling of Ian Belt (1-7) to end a partnership of 92.

With just four overs left in the innings, Robin Potter (5no) joined Subramanian, who produced a crucial unbeaten 45 as the innings closed on 164, which was also augmented by 19 wides.

In reply, a terrible mix-up in the second over between Orford (11) and Chris Ascot (0) allowed Aaron Oliver to easily run out Ascot.

The hosts moved on to 30 before Grafton Straker found the outside edge of Orford’s bat with

Subramanian taking an excellent catch.

Ian Belt (26) was next to fall when he scooped a low catch to Oliver off the bowling of Chas Duerdoth (2-29), who also induced Howard Mason (11) into playing on.

However, the pendulum swung back in Puddletown’s direction due to some fine batting from Adam Weir (34).

Simon Pengelly (3-21) brought his off-spin into the attack which brought reward as Weir missed an attempted sweep to be bowled and fellow spinner Subramanian (1-36) followed up with a

wicket.

Abbotsbury wrapped up the tail as Pengelly snared David Morris lbw and Oliver (2-20) picked up the final wicket to finally give the relieved Swans victory.

* Abbotsbury CC are sponsored by Bride Valley Motors.