BOURNEMOUTH left-hander Simon Woodruff produced a memorable, career-best all-round performance by following up an unbeaten maiden century with a five-wicket haul against ECB Southern Premier League rivals Totton & Eling at Southern Gardens.
He hit an undefeated 115 as Bournemouth posted 274-8 and then ripped out four of Totton’s top five batsmen to finish with figures of 5-27. Bournemouth won by 118 runs.
Astonishingly, the 29-year old son of stalwart Dorset and Wimborne left-arm quick Nigel Woodruff, is battling a long-term back ailment, which may require surgery at the end of the season.
Bournemouth captain Chris Park said: “Simon is really maturing into a top all-round cricketer, learning to play situations well, such as at Totton, where we were a slightly sticky 67-3 when he came in at five.
“He’s always been a natural talent, but he had to curb his attacking instincts at Totton and was building a decent partnership with our Tasmanian, Tom Willoughby when there was an unfortunate mix-up which led to the Aussie being run out.
“Simon was upset about that, but put it behind him and went on to put us into a dominant position.”
Willoughby had made starts in all three of his previous matches but, having hit 10 boundaries in his 66, the Hobart left-hander looked all set for a hundred himself when he was run out at 151.
Woodruff largely took on the run scoring responsibility after that, scoring 73 of the next 123 Bournemouth made to reach 274-8 after 64 overs.
Often rocking on to the back foot and hitting either side of the wicket, Woodruff stuck a six and 14 fours before reaching his maiden SPL century.
At least he got a half-hour or so breather before he came on at first change at Southern Gardens and promptly stopped a punishing 54-run start by Zimbabwean Bothwell Chapungu (27) and Hampshire prospect Fletcha Middleton, who got Totton off to a flier.
Woodruff changed all that with a four-wicket spell of left-arm seam bowling which sent Totton into freefall – 54 without loss becoming 94-7, Rob Pack (2-29) chipping in.
For a slightly built batsman, Middleton (38) strikes the ball extremely hard and Bournemouth were delighted when he feathered a nick behind off Woodruff.
Sam Bracey (35) got Totton an extra batting bonus point before he was bowled by teenager Connor Smith (2-20), meaning that nine of the 10 wickets had fallen to left-arm bowlers.
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