BOURNEMOUTH skipper Chris Park backed spin star Dom Clutterbuck to keep up his impressive economy rate in a bid to help Lions push for the title.

The left-arm spinner is one of the meanest bowlers in Southern League Division One this season.

Having got through 103 first-team overs – more than any other Lions player this summer – the 20-year-old has been hit for just 2.74 runs per over.

Of those who have taken more than two wickets in the league, only Calmore’s Mark Lavelle (2.68) and Portsmouth’s Andrew Marston (2.54) are less costly than Clutterbuck.

The former Parley star recorded figures of two for 28 from nine overs during the league leaders’ 66-run home win over Old Tauntonians & Romsey last time out.

And despite revealing the youngster had been “a little low in confidence” during recent weeks, Park said he had faith in one of his most trusted bowling lieutenants.

He told the Daily Echo: “Dom’s economy rate is first-class. He is going at around 2.7 runs per over.

“But he would be the first to hold his hands up and say he hasn’t actually bowled that well this year. He has had good games but, the past two or three weeks, he has been a little low in confidence.

“On Saturday, he was back to the Dom Clutterbuck we know and just bowled tightly and economically.

“Each spinner has their own strengths and weaknesses and it’s about bowling them at the right times.

“Bowling in the powerplay is an important role for Jake Hurley. He knows that and he enjoys that pressure.

“Rob (Pack) and Dom are the two left-arm spinners. Rob is getting some wickets this year and Dom is not getting as many – but Dom’s economy rate is better.

“It’s friendly banter which creates a healthy competition within our side. One thing for sure is we are all together and we want to win the league this year.”

Clutterbuck is set to be involved on Saturday when Lions look to keep up their push for the title at Liphook & Ripsley (12.30pm).

Liphook are one of two sides to have beaten Park’s men so far this season. A blistering 93 from 84 deliveries by batsman Harry Munt put the visitors in the box seat at Chapel Gate back in May.

Lions failed to find a maximum off the final delivery and lost by four runs.

But the skipper insisted he was not concerned by events of the reverse fixture.

“That was a few weeks ago and it’s forgotten by me,” added Park. “We know they are a good side and they have a few dangerous players.

“I just want to concentrate on our own performances. If we bowl well, teams struggle to score against our spinners and we take wickets.

“With our batting line-up at the moment it is working well but we have to start again from ball one, see off the opening bowlers, and build partnerships and momentum for the fireworks at the end.

“The game plan is not a secret, it is just how we execute our plans and carry out the structure of the game.”