ERIC Linge and James Raftery had the Ferndown Wayfarers statisticians thumbing the club’s record books following their exploits in the win over Division One rivals Shillingstone.
Linge and Raftery shared what was believed to have been a club-best second-wicket partnership of 194 to lay the foundations for a 60-run triumph.
The Shillingstone attack took a pasting as Linge (153) and Raftery (81) peppered the ropes at Dolman’s Farm during their boundary-laden stand.
Linge, who helps prepare the pitches at Dolman’s, took a liking to Sunday’s track and hit 10 fours and eight sixes during his 123-ball stay, while Raftery’s knock included eight fours.
Their partnership saw Ferndown Wayfarers rattle up a formidable 273 for three, a target Shillingstone made a decent fist of chasing.
However, although Chris Cole (59) carried his bat for the visitors, Karl Jensen (2-47) and Sanjay Lankage (2-48) helped restrict them to 213 for six at the close.
• Ian Booth made valuable contributions with both bat and ball as Swanage registered a six-wicket triumph over Winton at King George V Playing Fields.
All-rounder Booth (2-43) was among the wickets as Swanage dismissed Winton for 184 (Ben Baczala 2-29, Ron Barker 2-33, Ryan Norman 2-38).
And his unbeaten 33 helped Swanage get home with two overs to spare, even though skipper Barker felt the margin of victory had been harsh on Winton.
Barker said: “It was a much tighter game than the scoreline would suggest. Both teams bowled and fielded very well and it was played in a good spirit.”
Lewis Kirby (48) led the Swanage reply, while Matt Thomas (26) and Ricky King (24) both chipped in as they kept alive their title hopes.
• Phil Park again stole the show as Cranborne maintained pole position thanks to a four-wicket victory over Henstridge.
Park shared a crucial seventh-wicket stand of 50 with Dave Coy as Cranborne successfully chased down Henstridge’s 153 for nine.
His party piece saw him win the match with a towering six as Park (28) and Coy (12) both kept their nerve to remain undefeated at the close.
Charlie Arnold (5-39) had earlier starred with the ball before Carl Poore (32) ensured the Cranborne reply would start positively.
• Struggling Bournemouth had another day to forget as they were condemned to a heavy 145-run defeat by St Georges.
The Dorchester-based outfit ran up an imposing 280 for five with Dave Griffiths (84) leading the onslaught (Anshaman Singh 2-44, Mohammed Panna 1-28, Jake Hurley 1-31).
And although Alex Butler (32), Singh (30) and Rob Smith (20) all made starts, Bournemouth were never in the hunt and were eventually dismissed for 135 (Rob Cole 3-26, Sam Goodhew 2-5).
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