SKIPPER Ron Barker piloted Swanage to a comprehensive victory over relegation-haunted Parley – and then backed them to beat the drop.

Defeat for Parley, coupled with victory for bottom-placed Bournemouth against Shillingstone, narrowed the gap significantly in the basement battle.

Only Alex Nippard (44) emerged with any real credit as Parley were shot out for just 102, leaving them staring down the barrel of another heavy defeat.

And so it proved as Parley had no answer with seamer Ben Baczala (5-20) ripping the heart out of their top order as their fragile batting line up again crumbled.

Ryan Norman (3-31) and Rickie King (2-11) both provided solid support as the Swanage attack again worked in tandem to good effect.

Matt Thomas (50) and Ian Booth (21) shared a second-wicket stand of 50 and both remained undefeated as Swanage coasted to a nine-wicket triumph.

Victory left Swanage in fourth place and breathing down the neck of the top three ahead of their trip to cellar-dwellers Bournemouth on Sunday.

Captain Barker told the Daily Echo: “We are strong in all areas and this victory emphasised our depth. We just need to maintain our current form and give it one final push.

“Parley are a good team, pack-ed with good players. I am sure that, if they apply themselves, they will stay out of trouble.”

Parley’s plight was compounded when rejuvenated Bournemouth registered a 37-run success over Shillingstone at Chapel Gate.

Lewis Jones (58) and Jake Hurley (51) provided a solid platform for Bournemouth to post a challenging 226 for six.

And Jonny Coombs (54) and Curtis Watton (25) put on 51 for the sixth wicket and both remained unbeaten at the close.

In reply, Bournemouth took the unusual step of using no fewer than 10 bowlers – with the ploy paying handsome dividends. Ashley Humber (3-14) led the way as Shillingstone were dismissed for 189 with Will Price (2-28), Coombs (2-35) and Keiron Trellis (2-35) also among the wickets.

• Irrepressible all-rounder Eric Linge produced another stellar display to help Ferndown Wayfarers chalk up a four-wicket win over Henstridge.

Linge (4-36) weaved his magic with his wily off-spin as Henstridge were dismissed for a modest 171 (Robbie Stammas 2-19, Adam Stroud 2-35).

The 23-year-old then took another step towards finishing the campaign as the club’s highest run-scorer as Ferndown Wayfarers made light work of the chase.

Linge (55) hit a boundary-laden half-century to pave the way for a victory that kept the Dolmans Farm outfit firmly in the title hunt.

And after Linge had departed to a standing ovation, Sanjay Lankage (45) and Jordan Warren (27) put on 63 for the fifth wicket to all but seal the win.

• Teenager Jon Duke made an instant impression on debut despite finishing on the losing side as Winton suffered a 52-run defeat against title-chasers St Georges.

The 17-year-old showed his potential by compiling an im-pressive half-century as Winton made a decent fist of chasing St Georges’s 237 for nine.

However, although Duke (84) dug deep for newly-promoted Winton, partnerships were in short supply as second-placed St Georges dismissed them for 185.

Earlier, Charl van Wyk (3-42), Badrul Alam (3-33) and Pierre van Wyk (2-34) had all done their bit with the ball to give Winton hope.