BOURNEMOUTH BACK ON COURSE – 30 POINTS CLEAR

Bournemouth are back on course to land their first Southern League silverware in 15 years.
Not since 1996 - and before that in 1984 – has the championship trophy proudly sat in the Chapel Gate cabinet.
But after soundly beating Havant and then hearing South Wilts had crashed to defeat at St Cross Symondians, Bournemouth are once again firm favourites for the crown. With three 50-over matches remaining, they are a colossal 30 points clear at the top. They eased home by seven wickets with three overs to spare against a Havant side much changed from their championship sides of the past three seasons.
Havant made a sound enough start after winning the toss at Chapel Gate, but having reached 66-1 they lost wickets at regular intervals.
Matt Metcalfe (2-30) nipped out Mark Miller and Pete Hopson before Steve Dean (39) and Chris Morgan (34) took the total to 126.
Havant’s batsmen came and went, with Jez Bulled (28) among those in double figures as Simon Ridley (3-45) and Ed Denham (2-51) made inroads.
A rain break led to Havant’s 207 being cut to 183 off 39 overs – a target Bournemouth polished off with some comfort.
The Park brothers, Nick (18) and James (10) fell to Jez Ord (2-35), but third-wicket pair Chris Cahill (63) and Chris Cooke (52 not out) put Bournemouth firmly on course for victory. Simon Watkins hit 25 not out before Bournemouth clinched their seven-wicket win.