Parley delight over title win (From Bournemouth Echo)

Parley delight over title win

5:49pm Monday 24th August 2009 in

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JUBILANT skipper Neil Summerson saluted his Parley heroes after they had claimed the club’s first Premier Division title for nine years.

Parley completed the formalities with one match remaining thanks to a comprehensive 82-run victory over Blandford.

It capped a remarkable turnaround for the club following last year’s relegation battle – and two defeats in their first five matches this season.

Summerson told the Daily Echo: “I don’t think we were too many peoples’ favourites for the title after our relegation fight last season.

“But we’ve got a young team and everybody was a year older and a year wiser. With such a young side, we weren’t entirely sure how we would get on.

“It’s been a fantastic season and the main aspect has been the team atmosphere. It’s not been down to any one individual, it’s been a full-on team effort and we’ve managed to be consistent throughout the season.”

Although Summerson missed out on the celebrations due to a prior wedding commitment, he kept in mobile phone contact with stand-in skipper Mark Elliott as Parley coasted to victory against Blandford.

However, Summerson was met by Elliott’s voicemail for most of the Parley innings as his deputy hit an undefeated 81 in their 262 for seven (Raj Naik 28).

Elliott shared a fifth-wicket stand of 59 with Tom Jacques (41) after Sam Collins (37) and Matt Stickland had put on 50 for the first wicket.

An opening partnership of 77 between Jim Woodruff (36) and Luke Carter (36) gave Blandford a promising start.

But while Alex White (40) remained unbeaten, the visitors were restricted to 180 for six (Tom Blackley 2-23) before the champagne corks started popping.

Meanwhile, Poole Town (197-4) stole a march on Broadstone (194) in the race for second place following their six-wicket win at The Delph.

Wimborne & Colehill all but guaranteed Premier Division safety with a dramatic one-run victory over local rivals Wayfarers at Dolmans Farm.

Teenagers Grant Cormack and Rob Hatchard both starred to leave Wimborne & Colehill probably needing just a couple of points from their final game at home to Weymouth to avoid the relegation play-offs.

Cormack, 18, and 17-year-old Hatchard shared a crucial sixth-wicket stand of 75 to rescue Wimborne & Colehill from an uneasy 79 for five.

They helped the visitors to 209 for eight with Cormack (67) finishing undefeated. Hatchard (23) also added vital runs, although the total was boosted by no fewer than 32 extras (Rob Stammas 3-30).

Wayfarers made an encouraging start and had batted themselves into a commanding position at 150 for three with 10 overs remaining (Leigh Dunham 46, Dean Elsworthy 42).

But as wickets started to tumble to Rich Fenner (4-57) and David Guest (3-30), last pair Jon Gregory and Andre Jensen required five off the final over for victory.

Wimborne & Colehill appeared to have blown their chances when Guest spilled Gregory as Wayfarers edged to 208 before Fenner saved the day by trapping Jensen in front off the penultimate ball.

Suttoners, however, are going to need a miracle to avoid the drop after losing their bottom-of-the-table clash at Stalbridge by 17 runs.

Suttoners were left to rue twice dropping Stuart Sweatman (118) – the first time on one – as Stalbridge totalled 275 for nine (Chris Rawlings 3-40, Frank Fitzjohn 2-59, Jamie Gawler 2-62) before the visitors were dismissed for 258 (Neil Corbin 76*, Clive Johns 36).

Last year’s champions Dorchester (228-5) claimed the derby spoils from their clash with Weymouth (227-9) by five wickets and look set to finish fourth.