CRANBORNE skipper Phil Park singled out Andy Big Ginge' Loader for rich praise after the giant goalkeeper had put his diving skills to good use to become a slip specialist.

Loader snaffled a hat-trick of sharp chances as Cranborne kept the pressure on leaders Parley with an emphatic seven-wicket victory over struggling Poole Town.

Cranborne profited from a lively display in the field from their energetic youngsters to restrict Poole to 121 for nine before they eased home with 15 overs to spare.

Park, Cranborne's 40-year-old elder statesman, said: "Our fielding kept them under pressure early on and Big Ginge looked very sharp in the slips.

"But he gets enough practice at diving around all over the place as he keeps goal for Cranborne during the football season!"

Park, who has guided Cranborne to second place, added: "We just want to keep winning and hope the others slip up, but we're just taking it one game at a time at the moment.

"The team spirit is good and, apart from myself, the lads are young and the average age is about 22. They enjoy their cricket and I just try to keep their heads on the game."

Although Ashley Kempton (31) held his own, Poole were always up against it with Lee Beck (2-23), Dan Loader (2-25) and Robin Prince (3-24) all in mean mood.

And with South African Dirk Roets crafting an unbeaten half-century and Carl Poore undefeated on 32, Cranborne reached their target with relative ease.

Mick Ridgewell (93) led the onslaught as Parley maintained pole position with a crushing 165-run win over Studland.

The pacesetters rattled up an imposing 346 for six with Ridgewell receiving good support from Matt Stickland (65) and Jy Taylor (63) before Studland were polished off for 181.

Robbie Woolner top-scored with 65 as Christchurch claimed the derby bragging rights by chalking up a convincing 70-run win over nine-man Mudeford.

Woolner maintained his excellent recent form as Christchurch posted a formidable 311 for nine with Matt Wedge (39), Gareth Thomas (35) and Scott Kelly (37) providing solid support (John Nicholls 5-51).

In reply, Mudeford made a flying start and cashed in on some loose deliveries from Joe Yates to put on 115 for the first wicket off the first 15 overs.

Nicholls (76) led the early assault with an array of eye-catching shots before some determined bowling from Steve Pockneall slowed the run rate against the determined Mudeford batsmen.

A tidy spell of bowling from Ben Rayner, coupled with useful contributions from Joe Malone (2-15) and Tom Hughes (3-50), saw Christchurch home - with Malone taking the final wicket in the gathering gloom.

James Park starred with bat and ball as Kingston Lacy recorded a six-wicket victory over Bournemouth.

Park took four for 27 as Bournemouth were dismissed for 148, with only Will Old showing any resistance with a patient knock of 42 (Mark House 3-30).

And although Joe Hall (3-30) did his best to keep Kingston Lacy in check, Park held together their reply with a fluent 70.

Henstridge's 258 for nine proved a bridge too far for Wayfarers who were dismissed for 204.