CHRIS Park admits it is no surprise to see rivals Bashley top of the Southern Premier League as he prepares his Bournemouth team to face "the most complete side" in the division at Chapel Gate on Saturday.

Bashley are on the brink of clinching the title with two matches to play, sitting 2.3 average points ahead of St Cross Symondians.

But Bournemouth pushed the leaders close in the reverse fixture in June, edged out by 15 runs, something which has given Park encouragement ahead of this weekend's contest.

The Lions skipper told the Daily Echo: "It's going to be a tough game, but cricket is a funny game and we obviously took them very, very close over at their place and hopefully we can put in a good performance on Saturday and hopefully beat our local rival."

Asked if it was a shock to see Bashley top the table, Park added: "No, not at all. They are the most complete side.

"They've got a good bowling attack and they've got a very strong batting line-up. But we took them very close over there and probably should've won that game.

"Fingers crossed we can put in a performance this weekend and score some runs as a batting side and then put them under pressure as a bowling side."