BROADSTONE were grateful that opener James Brown was on song as his century inspired a stirring fightback against Swanage at the Delph.

The home side made a shaky start to their pursuit of Swans’ 225 with Sean Hatton dismissed for a duck before a quick-fire double from Steve Ramsey (2-50) reduced Broadstone to 30 for three.

However, Brown (123) dug in and shared a 164-run stand with Connor Tarr (61*) before Ben Baczala removed the centurion.

Tarr and Toby Mills saw the hosts over the line with four balls to spare, consigning Swanage to their third defeat in three.

It had looked promising for the visitors as Ian Booth (74) and Matt Thomas (60) put on 137 for the first wicket. But once Thomas had gone, Broadstone’s Arsalan Abbas (3-25) hit form, trapping Booth in front. Adam McRae (3-56) was also among the wickets.

Old Bournemouthians recovered from a sticky start to register a 44-run win over St Georges.

Matt King (3-20) ripped into the hosts’ attack and left Old Bournemouthians reeling on 44 for six before Patrick Smith (60) settled in and helped them post a modest 153.

And it was Smith (2-8) who started the early onslaught as St Georges capitulated to 15 for four before Richie Ramersad (3-18) made up for his duck by clean-bowling three of his opponents.

The result of Winton’s match at Fovant is pending a committee decision, according to the Dorset Cricket Board’s website.