CAPTAIN Chris Park hailed the heroics of Bournemouth's batsmen after they had mastered a Portsmouth pitch he described as "not very pleasant".

Lions' top order all made significant contributions as they posted a challenging 236 for seven at St Helen’s Field.

And although the hosts made a flying start in reply, spinners Rob Pack and Dom Clutterbuck came on to effectively bowl the visitors to a 107-run win.

Victory saw Bournemouth climb to the summit of the Division One table with fellow high-fliers Hook and Calmore both suffering defeats.

Park, who top scored with 46, told the Daily Echo: “It was an excellent win and we had to be happy with the performance.

“Unfortunately, for the second year running, the pitch wasn’t great so to score 236 was a huge achievement.

“The top six all chipped in and our score was probably 50 above par so our batting line-up deserve a pat on the back.

“We ground it out when trying to score runs was tough. The ball kept low and was popping off a length.

“At the toss, their captain said the pitch had improved this summer. It wasn’t as bad as last year but it was not very pleasant.

“I am not saying it was dangerous and it was the same for both teams. There were a few lbws in our innings, all to balls which shot along the ground after some off a length had hit you on the gloves.

“It wasn’t ideal but the batters put it to the back of their mind and got stuck in. We all got middle scores so were very happy with 236 at tea.”

Martin Miller (22) and Tom West (27) put on 59 for the first wicket before Park (46) and Ed Denham (27) shared 53 for the fourth.

Denham hit six fours in his 25-ball stay, while Simon Woodruff (24) and Jake Hurley (37) also cut loose with some lusty blows.

One-time Hampshire prospect Ben Duggan (37) and Jordan Palmer-Goddard (28) set off like an express train and had 50 on the board in next to no time.

However, after Duggan had been caught by Miller off the bowling of Denham and Palmer-Goddard had been trapped in front by Clutterbuck, 77 for one soon became 88 for eight.

Pack (3-16) and Clutterbuck (3-33) went through Portsmouth like a dose of salts before Hurley (2-26) took the last two wickets as they were stopped at 129.

Bournemouth, who host fifth-placed Sarisbury on Saturday, banked a maximum 22 points after registering a fifth win in six games.

Park added: “Ben Duggan came out of the blocks very fast and very aggressively. Fortunately, we managed to get him out after 10 or 11 overs.

“Rob and Dom turned the screw and got deserved wickets. We pulled it back and it was a great comeback in the middle overs from our spinners.”

Nick Park and Dan Conway, both unavailable for the trip to Portsmouth, return for the visit of Sarisbury to Chapel Gate.