SKIPPER Chris Park believes consistency will be a key factor in determining whether Bournemouth can mount a serious promotion challenge during the second half of the season.

Park led from the front as Jekyll-and-Hyde Lions registered a 51-run win over strugglers Rowledge on Saturday – to complete the double over the Hampshire-Surrey border club.

Victory hoisted Bournemouth into third place in Division One of the Southern Premier League and followed a surprise defeat by lowly Sarisbury when Park had been critical of his players.

Park’s 50-ball 77 paved the way for the visitors to post a formidable 277 for five at Rowledge – with 115 bludgeoned off the final 10 overs.

He received solid support from Nick Park (55), Luke Matthews (41*), Ben Bridgen (37) and Tom West (29) as Bournemouth’s batsmen responded to their captain’s call to start delivering in the wake of some fragile recent showings.

Jake Hurley (4-46), Simon Woodruff (3-42) and Dom Clutterbuck (2-42) ensured Rowledge would be stopped at 226 for nine – the only downside being Lions’ failure to dismiss the hosts, costing them a further bonus point.

Skipper Park told the Daily Echo: “It was a good performance. We had a serious chat during the warm up and the batsmen held up their hands so that was pleasing.

“But we need to keep doing it now so it is up to them really.

“Nick Park is a good player and got an important 50. But I am sure he would say he gave away his wicket and got himself out.

“Me, Tom West and Luke Matthews put on 115 in the last 10 overs and that was a good effort which got us well in front.

“Jake bowled nicely but it was about having control. It was a shame we couldn’t get the last wicket because we tried everything. We were throwing the ball up at the end to try to get that final point.

“I was delighted we returned to winning ways but we need to build on it now.”

Bournemouth host fourth-placed Portsmouth on Saturday before locking horns with fellow high-fliers Hook and leaders Calmore in their next two games.

Park added: “As a team, we haven’t played anywhere near our strength and, in terms of consistency, we haven’t been anywhere near our best so that’s the challenge.

“But we have played everybody once and I am happy with what I have seen of the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. There is nothing to fear from any team.

“If we can play nine-out-of-10 cricket for the rest of the season, I would like to think we will be nearer the top than the bottom.

“We probably played five-out-of-10 cricket in some games in the first half of the season.

“In terms of our bowling, we were nowhere near our best and, batting-wise, we have definitely been nowhere near the consistency that we showed the previous season.

“We need to put both into practice over the next six or seven games and win three or four on the bounce. That is the key thing now.

“If we could win our next three games, it would really turn the league table upside-down.”