A WONDERFUL 103-run seventh-wicket partnership between Steve Kent and Rob Hatchard propelled Swanage to a gripping one-wicket victory over Sherborne – and maintained their unblemished start to the campaign.

Swanage had slipped from 41 without loss to 123 for six when Hatchard and Kent (62) joined together to lift the hosts to the relative riches of 226 for seven.

Kent's dismissal sparked a mini-wobble before Hatchard, who finished undefeated on 48, and number 11 Phil Eades eked out the final seven runs required to eclipse Sherborne's 252.

Emlyn Kuhn's 109 formed the bedrock of the visitors' innings, the opener striking 15 fours and one six before he was eighth man out, bowled by Hatchard, who preceded his batting heroics with a stellar 10-over spell of four for 53.

Mike Hernandez (2-60) had removed visiting top-order duo Luke Hancock and Mark Hancock when Kuhn found some support from Ryan Monk (38) to put the away team on course for their formidable total.

Tom Salmon's breezy 39 got Swanage's reply off to a flyer but his dismissal prompted the flurry of wickets that seemingly had the league leaders bound for their first defeat of the season.

That was until Hatchard and Kent intervened to help their team complete a thrilling chase and retain a healthy advantage at the top of the Premier League table.