CAPTAIN Chris Park admitted he felt Bournemouth had always been short of a winning total having fallen in the final over against Hampshire Academy.

After being asked to bat first in a rain-affected Southern Premier League contest at Chapel Gate, Lions posted a modest 203 for eight from their 50 overs.

And, with the visitors having their innings reduced – chasing 196 to win from 46 overs – they reached the target with two wickets and four deliveries to spare.

Park told the Daily Echo: “It was disappointing to come out on the losing side.

“It was a little bit affected by the toss, unfortunately being put in on a damp wicket with the 48 hours we had previously. I just felt we were on the rougher end of that.

“The bowlers just couldn’t quite get us over the line. We fought hard, clung on and took it to the last over. The pitch got better as the day went on.

“I always kind of felt in the back of my head we were 25 to 30 runs too short.”

Dorset captain Luke Webb (31) top scored for the hosts at the top of the order, while there were also useful knocks from Simon Woodruff (29) and captain Park (29no).

Ed Denham stood out with figures of four for 37 with the ball for Bournemouth but it was not enough as the academy outfit scraped over the line thanks to Oliver Southon (26no).

“The bowling attack has been top quality all year. Batting-wise we have just not been able to score those runs or get the totals on the board that we have sometimes needed,” said Park.

“I think Saturday was one of those cases where when I felt we were getting comfortable, we shot ourselves in the foot by losing one or two quick wickets.”