BOTTOM side Parley suffered a seven-run defeat at home to Shillingstone in the Dorset League but still banked 11 points.

Shillingstone worked their way to 170 as Dave Elrick claimed three for 41 and Jack Nicholls three for 50.

Parley’s reply – spurred by Alex Jarvis-Neil (33), skipper Jon Rake (21) and Nicholls (21) – reached 163 before the final wicket fell.

Rake said: "Our bowlers bowled exceptionally well and it was a great effort to keep Shillingstone to a score which was probably below par.

"Unfortunately, we couldn't get any meaningful partnerships together at the top of the order and a lot of credit has to go to the late middle order, which got us close to their score.

"If a couple of key moments had gone our way during the game I'm sure we would have been celebrating a win."

Broadstone skipper Steve Trembath, meanwhile, was delighted to beat local rivals Wimborne by one wicket.

He said: "It's always great to win the local derby, especially given their position at the top of the league.

"It was an exciting game that could have gone either way. Cooky's customary 50 set the base for the run chase, with Manley following on from his batting display last week, performing heroics to see us over the line finishing with an unbeaten 50.

"I'm hoping the players will take a lot of confidence with the win as we look to put pressure on the teams above before the end of the season.

"We are in a position where we are playing with no pressure and can still have a big influence on where the title ends up."