BOURNEMOUTH captain Simon Ridley has put their first Dorset Sunday League top-flight title success for a decade down to a combination of youth and experience.

Ridley's team blitzed to a comprehensive seven-wicket home triumph over Marnhull in their final match to clinch the crown in his debut season as skipper.

Marnhull, led by opener Stu Sweatman's defiant 94, notched 155 for nine in 45 overs with bowlers Pete Smith (3-32) and Ed Denham (3-47) doing the damage.

Chasing 128 off 37 overs in a rain-affected contest, Bournemouth's Tom Blackburn didn't hang around, blasting 48 out of 49 runs in boundaries at one stage.

He was finally out for 59, with Dan Pearce getting 33, as Bournemouth replied with 128 for three to reach their target with 11 overs to spare.

Bournemouth last won the Division One crown in 1999, and Ridley said: "We're all ecstatic to take the title because it has been a long hard fought season.

"Credit has to go to defending champions Kingston Lacy for pushing us as far as they did.

"It has been an enjoyable roller-coaster. One week they've been top and the next we have.

"All our guys have put a lot of effort in to get to where we have got.

"The key to success has been team morale, which has been really high all season, and the combination of youth and experience.

"It was a nice mixture, players like Tom, who are young and youthful and play with no fear, along with players like Rob Coombs, who played pro cricket and is now in his 40s.

"Rob's been around a long time and done it all before so players like him are able to pass on their experience which has proved invaluable."

Parley pipped Kingston Lacy for second place when they won by six wickets at Cranborne while the defending champion's game against Henstridge was washed out with no play.