CHRIS Park hailed the batting displays of Adam Davies and Nick Park as Bournemouth ended their three-month winless run.

In a battle of the Southern Premier League’s bottom two sides, the Lions were set a target of 224 for victory over Basingstoke & North Hants at Chapel Gate.

Despite losing two early wickets, solid knocks from Nick Park (73) and Davies (84no) helped Bournemouth to a six-wicket victory, their first since facing the same opposition on the opening day of the season.

Captain Chris Park told the Daily Echo: “It was great to get the result obviously and a much-needed win of course.

“Being down towards the bottom of the table against Basingstoke, it was a must-win game really and I’m glad the lads came through.

“Bowling wise, a couple of early wickets was key and then the whole bowling unit actually all fired and consistently performed. It was really pleasing that we could keep them to 223 on quite a flat pitch and a quick outfield.

“The score there was probably always chaseable, but obviously with the recent batting worries it was great to see Nick and Adam put on our first 100 partnership of the year to get us close and then for Ed Denham and Adam Davies to carry his bat was a fantastic innings all round and match-winning for us.”

Lions had looked well-placed to end their victory drought two weeks earlier against Bashley.

Needing just 109 to win against the league leaders, Bournemouth stumbled to 67 for eight before being bowled out for just 98.

So after finding themselves nine for two against Basingstoke following the dismissals of Luke Webb for a golden duck and Luke Matthews (6), Chris Park admitted he was concerned.

The skipper said: “Nine for two you’re thinking ‘oh no, not again surely in what was a much-needed win game’.

“But Adam and Nick batted beautifully for 25 to 30 overs and it was our first 100 partnership of the season and what a time to get it.

“Nick was disappointed to get out in the way he did and probably disappointed he didn’t go on to get 100 not out.

“But for Adam to show that in only his second game for us this season was a great innings.”

The win lifts Bournemouth up to eighth with Chris Park’s men now two games unbeaten for the first time this season following last week’s draw against Alton.

“Winning a couple of timed games puts a massive dent into the league table,” said Chris Park.

“It does breed confidence and hopefully it’s the turn of a corner, fingers crossed.

“But in cricket you can take nothing for granted. Next Saturday I’m sure the batsmen will be concentrating really hard to get a score again.

“If we can get the batting to fire then I have confidence that we’re going to have a good second half to the season.”