James Taylor struck his third century in five weeks, but was unable to prevent Hursley Park from slipping to a six-wicket defeat by ECB Southern Electric Premier League rivals Bournemouth at Chapel Gate.

Instead, Taylor, pictured right, found himself upstaged by Dorset master blaster Darren Cowley, who hammered 82 off 50 balls as Bournemouth celebrated their first "time pennant" victory and ended a sequence of three drawn matches.

Cowley's side achieved their success after early season SPL frontrunners Hursley Park had posted 221-6 in the full 64-over allocation.

Matt Metcalf, who bowled 21 overs in the heat to finish with a creditable 3-52, struck two early blows by removing Hursley openers Ben Smyth and Rory Miller.

Paul Marks (36) fired a revival, but two blows by teenager Dan Joseph (2-26) and another by Cowley himself left Hursley in dire straits at 118-6 after lunch.

It was left to Jimmy Taylor, with his third century of the season, to rescue the visitors.

He hit 11 fours in an undefeated 106 and shared an unbroken 103 seventh-wicket stand with Ollie Green (35 not out) as Hursley recovered to 221-6 after 64 overs.

Richard Scott fell cheaply when Bournemouth replied, but a useful second wicket partnership involving Liam Aslett (47) and Nick Park (36) put the innings back on track.

The pair had both departed at 124-3 when Cowley began his assault which carried Bournemouth to victory.

In typical style, he smacked three 6s and ten fours in an overdue top-order knock, which enabled Craig De Weymarn (24 not out) and Jo Hall (18 not out) to complete the formalities.

Portsmouth climbed above Havant in the SPL pecking order with a convincing 111-run win over their immediate neighbours at St Helen's, Southsea.

They lost their openers without a run on the board, but former Hampshire all-rounder Lawrie Prittipaul (52) rescued Portsmouth from a desperate 121-8 (Derek Kenway 38).

Late support from James Manning (27) saw the city side to 176 all out.

The Fordingbridge youngster then rocked Havant with the ball, taking 3-29 as he and Prittipaul (2-23) sent the visitors crashing to a meagre 65 all out.

Former Vospers batsman Ollie Knight (29) provided the only resistance before Pete Hayward (3-8) ended Havant's unhappy hour.