UNBEATEN Parley moved to within touching distance of the Premier League championship as they swept aside their latest victims Weymouth by 126 runs at Redlands.
The victory, coupled with defeat for second-placed Ferndown Wayfarers, handed Roshan Embalagama’s men the opportunity to clinch the title against their nearest rivals when the top two go head-to-head at Dean Park in four days’ time.
Another stunning century from opener Mark Morley, who rattled up 112 from just 99 balls, ensured the result was in little doubt from the outset as he helped Sam Collins (55) put on 150 for the first wicket.
From there, Parley failed to find their usual form at the crease with Will Hendy (27*) their only other significant scorer en route to an imposing total of 262 for six.
However, tight bowling from the visitors kept Weymouth at arm’s length as wickets continued to fall at a steady pace.
Openers Jim Ryall and Dean Jannaway were dismissed early before Ben Lawes (51) settled in to score a half-century.
However, once he had been caught and bowled by Robbie Gunn (3-18) with the hosts on 120 for five, any prospect of a shock result soon bit the dust.
Paul Payne provided a solid 20, but Gunn and Matt Stickland (1-2) bludgeoned their way through the final four without addition as Weymouth finished on 136.
Meanwhile, Ferndown’s hopes of putting pressure on the table-toppers ahead of the big showdown were quashed by a 94-run defeat at Poole Town.
Badral Alam (78) handed Poole a solid start, firing off 11 fours and sharing a fourth-wicket stand of 64 with Ciaran Quinn (32) before Damith Gunawardana (41*) and Lewis Marais (43*) saw out the innings with an unbeaten partnership of 90 as the hosts posted 231 for five.
And when Wayfarers came to the crease, they simply could not match Poole’s prolific partnerships as Jon Salt (2-22) bowled opener Neil Sexton (16) and saw off Ferndown skipper Eric Linge for a first-ball duck.
Leigh Dunham tried to steady the ship, but with Joe Wilson (3-33) working his way through the lower order with ease, it was all in vain as Ferndown were skittled for a mere 137.
Elsewhere, Winton put more daylight between themselves and the bottom two by beating back markers Dorchester by 79 runs.
Opener John Duke (21) and dangerman Mike Kitson (60) handed the hosts a stellar start before Adam Willard (38) and Matt Clark (33) took the score past 150. Winton ended their innings on 243 for eight with tail-ender Luke Phillips (38*) finishing strongly.
In response, Dorchester’s Marcus Evans (29) and Sam Goodhew (30) put on 63 for the second wicket, but the visitors’ scoring was sporadic with Winton’s opponents eventually dismissed for 164.
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