BOURNEMOUTH duo Ryan Wiltshire and David Kidner etched their names in the record books – despite Wiltshire’s battle with heatstroke.

The pair registered the second-highest fifth-wicket partnership in Division One since the Southern Premier League was formed in 2000 with a formidable 175 in Lions’ 18-run win at Hartley Wintney.

The feat was all the more impressive given that Wiltshire had felt significantly off-colour as he blasted 100 off 126 balls, which included 15 fours, while Kidner racked up 68 off 85 deliveries.

Bournemouth captain Martin Miller said: “Ryan was suffering from heatstroke throughout the innings and said he was struggling to see the ball, which made it quite an amazing knock. I wish I could get centuries in that situation!

“It took him 98 balls to get his first 50 and then 27 to go from 50 to 100, which was great to watch.

“As a pair, they batted brilliantly and it was a fantastic partnership. David’s knock was chance-less but Ryan had one life and 175 was not far off being a record.

“Ryan has been playing for the club in midweek due to work commitments and I think it was only his fourth Saturday match for us.”

The efforts of Wiltshire and Kidner came as welcome relief for the visitors who had been in a spot of bother at 46 for four.

Bournemouth eventually totalled 249 for seven and made a solid start to their defence as the Hartley Wintney top five were removed for 93.

However, Dan Wrenn (53) and Chris Jolley (44) rallied to take the home side to 197 for the sixth wicket, with the hosts eventually falling just short on 231 for seven.

Miller added: “I thought that 250 was about a par score. Hartley Wintney is quite a small ground with a very short boundary behind the bowler and one end in particular is very difficult to defend.

“Mike Kitson and Matt Jones got them on the ropes and that meant they had to come out and play their shots.

“They were always slightly behind the clock but they made a good fist of it. They had players missing and with the team they had out, they did extremely well.

“We held our catches when we needed to and although with 10 overs to go it was a bit in the balance, with five left we were in control.”

Bournemouth have now triumphed in three league fixtures on the bounce and Miller added: “We aren’t winning convincingly but we know how to win and have a winning mentality, which is great.

“As of next week I think I have all but one of our squad to choose from so selection is going to be difficult, which is a nice problem to have.”