SWANAGE were guided to two wins on the bounce thanks to a sensational century by Mike Salmon.
The club’s first XI travelled to Blandford, and, bowling first, restricted the home side to a slightly below-par score of 232-7 from 50 overs.
This was thanks to the home side’s Luke Carter who struck an unbeaten 110, with Jernimain Barry and Ryan Stearn each taking a brace of wickets for the visitors.
In reply, Swanage lost two quick wickets, but recovered with a half-century partnership between Salmon and Sam Marks.
However, they fell to 102-4, leaving the game in the balance.
Salmon was joined in the middle by Craig Wells, with the pair putting on a partnership of 91 at more than a run a ball.
Wells departed but Swanage’s momentum continued with Salmon and Jack Thompson, with Salmon striking a six to add to his 19 boundaries to win the game.
Salmon ended with an innings of 118 not out, his third century of the summer, to give Swanage a five-wicket victory with nearly 20 overs to spare.
Swanage’s second XI continued their quest for promotion, hosting Christchurch, who batted first at Days Park.
The visitors fell to 58-3 thanks to good early bowling from Matt Beard and Max Nicholson.
The Swan’s off-spinner Pete Richards then took five wickets, supported by Ethan Stacey, Sam Wells and Harry Long, to reduce the visitors to 196 all out.
The host’s openers began the response strongly, putting on 129 together in just 16 overs, with Simon Goldsack scoring 60 and John Lewis 46.
Despite losing three wickets, the home side were seen home by Long and Tom Rutherford, making it six wins in seven, but still nine points behind the second promotion spot with two games to play.
Elsewhere on Saturday, the Swanage third XI lost to Wareham’s first side by seven wickets, while the fourths lost to Poole by six wickets.
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