HERO Ed Denham believes the Southern League Twenty20 Cup represents the perfect way for Bournemouth to save their stuttering season.

Denham fired a final-ball six to send the Chapel Gate side into the finals day of the limited overs competition, which will be held at Hampshire's Rose Bowl ground on September 7.

Coming to the crease to face his first delivery in Sunday's quarter-final at Hursley Park Denham, better known for his bowling, knew he needed to hit at least a four to earn a draw.

But he did better than that by lofting a maximum over wide long off to secure a thrilling victory for Craig de Weymarn's men.

"I'd set out two places where I thought I could score four or more - through point or extra cover," explained the 18-year-old Dorset star.

"That's my hitting zone and it worked perfectly."

Denham admits he felt the pressure walking out to the middle with his side's chances in the balance and Jimmy Taylor preparing to bowl the game's final delivery.

"I was a little bit nervous but I felt I could do it," he told the Daily Echo.

"The other players just said good luck'.

"At one point we needed 10 off three balls and I think we were thinking we're not going to get this'.

"But luckily my best efforts paid off."

Bournemouth started their Southern League campaign in brilliant form but have since lost some key players and dropped down the table.

And Denham sees the cup competition as an ideal way of regrouping and collecting some silverware.

He said: "I think it's the main way of salvaging something from our season.

"We had a bit of a dry spell with regards wins and we can get something for the season in this competition.

"We lost Paul Prichard, Darren Cowley and David Payne recently and have been struggling a bit as a team.

"But we've done well in the Twenty20 and hopefully we can keep that going."

The Fordingbridge-based player, who has been playing for Bournemouth since the age of 12, will be hoping to live up to his nickname of The King come September 7.

And he is hoping his heroics with the bat on Sunday haven't gone unnoticed.

"Hopefully I might go up the order because that was the first time I've got to bat in the Twenty20," he said.

"I don't think I could go up too much more to take the place of the main batsmen, but maybe one place higher."

On finals day at the Rose Bowl, Bournemouth will be joined by Southern League rivals Totton and Eling, Portsmouth and either Rowledge or Alton.