New Milton finally broke their win duck in Southern Division Two – although their triumph over rivals Bournemouth was a lot closer than the official one-run margin may have suggested.

Although New Milton were confident they had clinched victory following a gripping finish at Fernhill, it was only confirmed after the umpires had checked the rule book.

A rain-affected clash saw New Milton’s 191 revised to 161 – with Bournemouth reaching 160 before the end of Pete Smith’s heroic innings brought a close to an absorbing contest.

Number eight Smith (53) shared an eighth-wicket stand of 52 with Ben Flux to rescue Bournemouth from 92 for seven (Jonny Coombes 20).

However, after Smith had been caught by Kevin Boudville off Dan Loader, scorers and spectators alike were convinced Bournemouth had eked out a tie.

But as the official victory target had been calculated at 160.44, it emerged that Bournemouth had fallen short by the narrowest of margins.

Earlier, New Milton had also been thankful to their number eight Ryan Beck for compiling a crucial half-century. Beck (51), Loader (29) and Boudville (28) were the main contributors as the wickets were shared by Bournemouth (Jake Hurley 3-13, Flux 3-68, Paul Garlick 2-16, Smith 2-54).

And after returning hero David Wheeler (4-19) had left Bournemouth reeling, Loader (4-29) claimed the scalps of Smith and Flux to complete a thrilling victory.