SWANAGE laboured to a two-wicket win at Martinstown under the guidance of stalwart Ian Booth with regular captain Ricky King awaiting the birth of his second child.

Martinstown won the toss and elected to bat first and Swans struggled with their lines early on, conceding a 43 wides before spinners Booth (4-30) and Francis Kerins (3-24) set about quashing the middle order.

The hosts went from 79 for one to 124 for eight and set Swanage a target of 154 to win. Booth’s boys were on 128 for four with Mike Salmon (32) and Ben Baczala (23) at the crease but staggered home with 156 for eight.

Poole Town’s title hopes were dented after a 17-run home defeat to Wimborne & Colehill.

The Dolphins were all out for 208 while chasing the Minstermen’s 225 for six, a setback which saw them slip to third following Broadstone’s two-wicket triumph over rock-bottom Weymouth.

Opener Matt Swindlehurst (36) and the unbeaten Ross Tooley pushed the hosts towards their winning total at the Delph with six overs to spare.

The efforts of Harrison Clarke (38), Max Trueman (41) and Alex Sands (37*) were not enough for Parley (194ao), who fell 24 runs short in their mid-table clash with Stalbridge (218 for eight).