Bournemouth (270 for 8) lost to Paultons (200 for 4) by 6 wkts - rain-reduced target ON a tricky afternoon, with threatening weather conditions, Paultons were helped to win this game by John Robinson again winning the toss and electing to field, thus handing them an advantage when rain came into play later.

However, the Paultons bowlers' start couldn't have got much worse as the Dorset side, without a win in the league this year, set about striking the attack to all parts of the ground. Wayward bowling was punished as the home side's seamers failed to take advantage of the overcast, green conditions.

Openers Staddon and Harrison enjoyed themselves as they raced to 114 from 17 overs, and it looked as if it was going to be a long afternoon for the hosts. With four bowlers used already, the Paultons skipper looked to other sources to stem the flow of runs. Colin James was to provide the answer, his steady medium pace slowing the rate down from an electric eight an over, and Paul Wilde at the other end beating the bat on numerous occasions.

The first wicket went with the score on 139 as Harrison risked Pete Lamb's sniper's arm and paid the price, being run out for 54. Richman picked up Harris, caught by Lamb in the deep to make it 144-2 when the first shower came.

On the restart, Bournemouth struggled slightly, Wilde trapping Parkin in front and Lamb catching Staddon off his own bowling for an otherwise flawless 109. Dalton and Charles were also caught and bowled by Richman as Bournemouth tried to push home their advantage.

Athough Paultons steadily took wickets at the end of the innings, Wilde and Lamb both taking a brace and Richman picking up three, the visitors still racked up a daunting 270 for 8. This meant after tea was taken, and the rain interruptions taken into consideration, the target came down to 236 off 44 overs.

Colin James and Simon Sargeant got them off to the start they needed, seeing off the Bournemouth pace attack and hitting boundaries when the bad ball came along. James seemed to check his shot on 29 and paid the price, getting caught with the total on 44.

The in-form Robinson strode to the crease looking to wrap up the game before the threatening clouds could intervene. Rain did fall temporarily, but not for as long as the visitors wanted it to, and by the time the covers came off, the Paultons task actually had become easier; they needed to pass 200 from 37 overs.

Both Robinson and Sargeant stroked the ball around nicely to make sure the hosts kept up with the rate. A match-winning 114 was added for the second wicket before Sargeant was eventually caught and bowled by Kundore for 33.

Robinson followed after when the score was on 178, being caught for a typically hard-hitting 68, but by this time the game was running away from Bournemouth.

Needing 20 from the last 6 overs, there were a few nerves around the Paultons dressing room as Darnton departed for 24. But Richman and Duncan Park saw them home, wrapping up the game up with two overs to spare.

A tricky away fixture at Hambledon this weekend will see how well equipped Paultons are at making a decent push at promotion this year. At the moment they're sitting pretty at the top of the league, having won all three matches.