BOURNEMOUTH’S Dave Kidner took advantage of “surreal conditions” to help his side seal a six-wicket Southern League Division One triumph at Hartley Wintney.

The opening bowler returned figures of five for 28 on a sodden wicket described as “rolled mud” by Lions skipper Chris Park.

Kidner played a pivotal role after Bournemouth had won the toss and had no hesitation in choosing to bowl.

His performance, along with wickets for Dom Clutterbuck (2-16), Ed Denham (2-10) and Jake Hurley (1-10) saw the Hampshire-based outfit skittled for a miserly 67 in 33 overs.

Three Hartley batsmen reached double figures in an innings with only four boundaries in total.

Opener Jamie Teale top scored with 12 before he was caught by Rob Pack off the bowling of Kidner.

Captain Park told the Daily Echo: “We had to put the ball in the right areas and Dave Kidner bowled really well.

“With sticky pitches it spins as well, the spinners did well and we took our catches which was pleasing.

“On Friday, Hartley Wintney phoned me and said conditions weren’t very good and it was very wet. They said please don’t set off on Saturday until they had called us.

“They phoned me saying they had rain overnight but we could leave. We got there and the pitch was soaking.

“They had left the covers off on Thursday and Friday. It was just flooded and rolled mud. It did dry through the day so it was a very important toss to win.

“Having said that, the pitch didn’t misbehave. It wasn’t like a wet, slow wicket where it was stodgy.

“I think you just looked down and saw you were batting in mud but the ball bounced properly and came through. They were surreal conditions.”

Bournemouth adjusted their batting order in a bid to attack the modest total and also lost key players in quick fashion.

Nick Park (1), Martin Miller (5), Hurley (0) and Simon Woodruff (10) were all back in the shed with the score on 38 for four.

But opener Tom West finished unbeaten on 22 and Denham recorded a run-a-ball 17 to guide Bournemouth to 68 for four from 15.5 overs.

Ben Earney picked up three for 20 for the hosts.

“Chasing a low score there is always that cat and mouse element,” added Park.

“We changed the batting order around to be aggressive and attack the score. To get it off just more than 15 overs got the job done.

“It was nice to get away from there with 20 points and take a bit more confidence.”

Victory meant Bournemouth moved to second in the division with three wins from their opening four games.

Lions will be looking to chase down early pace-setters Hook & Newnham Basics, who are the only team yet to suffer defeat.

Park’s men return to Chapel Gate on Saturday when they host third place Ventnor (12.30pm).