STALBRIDGE SECONDS 217-5 (8pts) lost to BRIDPORT 218-7(17pts) by three wickets

ANOTHER stunning display by Dave Herbert this time paid dividends for Bridport as they chalked up their first victory in Dorset League Division Three at The Park.

The opening batsman, who scored 115 in the previous week’s defeat against Portland Red Triangle, registered another ton and also snared the key wicket of Andrew Robertson (84) to lead the West Dorset outfit to a three-wicket success.

Bridport restricted Stalbridge Seconds to 217-5 before chasing that target down with just eight balls to spare.

Winning skipper Liam Tohill said: “It was brilliant to win our first match and pick up 17 points, which has now taken us off the bottom of the table.

“It was a real team effort but obviously for Dave to hit back-to-back hundreds is pretty special.

“This particular century was even more special as he had just bowled 11 very good overs (1-52) to finish off their innings.

“Dom Gape (24 and 3-67) also batted and bowled brilliantly but like I said everyone contributed in some way which made this first victory even better.

“The composure of Luke King (7 not out) and Ed Halson (11 not out) to finish the game off at the end was magnificent.”

Gape cleaned bowled both Matt Chant (1) and John Sullivan (0) in consecutive balls in the third over to get Bridport off to a flying start before Halson (1-7) produced an outstanding caught and bowled to dismiss Stalbridge’s other opener, Ian Moore, for 15.

That left the hosts in trouble on 34-3 but a fantastic fourth-wicket stand of 74 between Robertson and Ben Fincham (54 not out) soon turned the tables.

With the partnership threatening to take the game away from Bridport, Herbert then had Robert-son caught by 15-year-old Callum Pattinson, which proved a key breakthrough in terms of momentum.

Stalbridge eventually posted 217 but Toohill’s men were confident of chasing that down and got off to a great start with Herbert and Mark Smith (20) putting on 63 for the opening wicket.

Smith was then trapped leg before and Rob Condliffe (2) fell soon after but Herbert and Sam Challis (22) continued chipping away with a third-wicket stand of 72 to move Bridport past the 150-mark.

Both men then fell in quick succession but Gape’s run-a-ball 24 left his side requiring 18 for victory from as many deliveries, which King and Halson pulled off in glorious style with some wonderful boundaries.

Bridport’s next assignment will see them travel to Broadstone Thirds on Saturday.