SKIPPER Martin Miller lavished rich praise on Jake Hurley after he had starred with bat and ball during Bournemouth’s 40-run victory over Southern Premier League Division One rivals Hook & Newnham Basics.

Hurley (80) led the way as Lions posted a presentable 220 for eight before he claimed three wickets as the hosts were dismissed for 180 at their King George V headquarters.

All-rounder Hurley hit five fours and four sixes in his 78-ball stay and shared a second-wicket stand of 67 with opener Ben Bridgen (55) who had put on 59 for the first wicket with Luke Matthews (18) to give the Bournemouth innings a solid foundation.

Miller told the Daily Echo: “Jake’s innings was probably the best I have seen him play for the first team. He’s got a lot of power and he hit some very big sixes.

“We played together in the second XI many years ago in the days when he used to open the batting.

“We have missed him in the early part of the season for the past couple of years while he has been at Leicester University. He has always been a talented cricketer and we are now starting to see some of the best.”

Miller, whose team triumphed despite losing the toss, added: “The guys at the top of the order did brilliantly and set us a platform.

“Luke Matthews played the supporting role, knuckled down and tried to see off the new ball. Ben Bridgen at the other end is in good form at the moment and Jake came in at three, put away the bad balls and really got us motoring, which was excellent.”

Wickets were shared around by the Bournemouth bowlers, while Hurley (3-31) claimed the scalp of Hook top-scorer Matt Love (51) who was stumped by Chris Park with the score on 162.

Matthew Jones (2-33), Jem Warner (1-32), Rob Pack (1-35) and Jon Lombard (2-42) also chipped in.