CAUTIOUS Craig de Weymarn played down his team’s title chances after Bournemouth closed the gap on leaders Havant.

With the Division One frontrunners only drawing, Bournemouth took the opportunity to edge nearer the summit with a 52-run victory over Alton at Chapel Gate.

But despite helping his men extend their unbeaten run to five matches, de Weymarn refused to get carried away with their push for silverware.

He told the Echo: “Havant only drew, but we’re only half way through the season and there’s a long, long way to go. Lots more can happen.

“We’re second in the table but by the end of the season we could be mid-to-bottom if we don’t keep up our levels of performance.”

Bournemouth continued to show few signs of slipping up on Saturday.

After losing the toss and being made to bat first on what de Weymarn described as a “fairly green wicket”, the hosts did not have it all their own way.

They were reduced to 69 for four and it took a fine partnership between Simon Watkins (59) and de Weymarn (39) to get them to 199 all out, a total which the skipper felt was about 30 short of what they should have made.

But it proved to be more than enough, particularly after England youth international David Payne had got the ball in his hand.

The prospect claimed seven for 42 off 15 overs to win the game, with de Weymarn quick to praise his efforts afterwards.

“It seems to be a different bloke every week who wins the game for us,” said the skipper.

“He’s an England under-18 bowler and he comes on first change for us, which really shows our depth.

“He bowls with real pace and aggression and puts in the right areas.”

Matt Metcalfe (2-36) and Ed Denham (1-22) also performed well with the ball for the title challengers.

  • Ryan Beck picked out Ben Neal as his star man after New Milton continued their improvement in Division Two.

Neal took a wicket and then hit 48 as Beck’s men secured a three-wicket win over Hook and Newnham Basics.

Captain Beck said: “Mid-table would be a great finish for us.

“To stay in the league would be good, but mid-table would be a bonus.”

Nick Gargaro (3-34) and Dave Wheeler (2-3) helped restrict Hook and Newnham to just 140.

And Neal led the way, with support from Matt Freeman (29), as New Milton edged their way to victory.