JOSH Finnie played a key role as Bournemouth got their promotion push back on track with a narrow two-wicket victory over Division One rivals Basingstoke & North Hants yesterday.

The Lions headed to May’s Bounty on the back of a shock defeat by lowly Andover, while Basingstoke had been buoyed by their crushing victory at New Milton.

However, Finnie ensured the tables would be turned with his boundary-laden 96 proving decisive in the final reckoning as Bournemouth scrambled home with four balls to spare.

Bournemouth’s James Palmer and Mike Kitson made early breakthroughs and removed openers Chris Froud and Craig Williamson to leave the hosts reeling at seven for two.

But a third-wicket stand of 81 between Steve Bucksey and Mitch Stokes saw Basingstoke recover before Kitson claimed a return catch to dispose of Stokes (46).

Andrew Woodward and Kitson (3-60) struck to reduce the hosts to 115 for five before Finnie entered the fray to pick up two quick wickets as they slumped to 131 for seven.

Although Woodward (2-33) had Chris Chandler caught by Robbie Pack, a defiant Chris Oliver (46) thwarted Bournemouth’s attempts to quickly wrap up the Basingstoke innings. Oliver remained unbeaten at the close as Pack (2-22) mopped up the tail, with Bournemouth set a revised victory target of 200 from 44 overs due to a short rain break.

Andy Hayward and Martin Miller shared 45 for the first wicket before Stokes dismissed Miller and Kitson in quick succession to leave Lions precariously placed on 50 for two.

However, Finnie’s arrival steadied the ship, the 18-year-old New Zealander putting on 42 for the third wicket with Hayward (32).

Although Rakitha Perera dismissed Hayward, Jake Hurley and Ryan Wiltshire as Bournemouth wobbled at 132 for five, Finnie continued to carry the fight.

His classy 70-ball stay included no fewer than 10 fours and four sixes, while his sixth-wicket stand of 49 with Pete Smith took Lions within sight of the finishing line.

And although they lost Luke Matthews and Woodward after Finnie had departed with the score on 181 for six, Smith and Pack saw Bournemouth home at 201 for eight two balls into the final over.