Bere Regis beat Cattistock & Symene by 199 runs

BERE Regis stormed to an emphatic 199-run victory over struggling Cattistock & Symene to record their fourth straight Dorset Premier League win.

Brian Keegan’s men are now up to second in the standings after previous leaders Dorchester lost at new table toppers Wimborne.

A feature of Bere’s impressive start to the season has been their ability to score big runs and this match was no different as they piled the pressure on the winless Foxes.

Cattistock bowled a gluttony of wides early on and allowed Bere’s openers to construct a half-century stand.

READ MORE: Bere Regis beat Christchurch by 62 runs

George Wyrill (3-36) hit back with the wickets of last week’s centurion Pete Russell plus Sam Goodhew (both 9) as Cattistock checked Bere at 85-2.

However, in-form Cam Robertson lifted the run rate with a typically swift 32 from 31 balls in support of Matt King, who moved past 50 with ease.

Robertson carved six fours and a maximum before he perished to off-spinner Ollie Legg (3-57) who then bowled King (77), having struck 11 boundaries and three sixes in his magnificent innings.

At 162-4, Rich Payne (38) and Rich Cole (27no) both provided late impetus as Bere added a further 105 runs to post an imposing 269-7, boosted by a damaging 50 extras.

In reply, Cattistock & Symene made a positive start as Wes Lewis (31) blasted five fours and a six in the early exchanges.

Bere responded when Luke King was bowled by Payne (1-35) for a 15-ball duck and Lewis was trapped lbw by King (3-14).

King enjoyed a superb all-round game as he proceeded to clamp down on the Foxes’ runs and take wickets, Jason Bradley and Kieran Connolly (both 4) departing either side of Wyrill (0) being run out.

Cattistock were now 55-5 and staring down the barrel of a big defeat, which was completed thanks to the introduction of Goodhew.

The all-rounder extracted sharp turn from the Bere wicket and took a stunning 5-5 from just four overs as the Foxes were rolled over for just 70.

They also returned to the bottom of the table after Puddletown claimed five points from their two-wicket loss to Christchurch.

Speaking to Echosport, Bere skipper Keegan said: “Matt batted really well up top, ably supported by Mr Robertson at a run a ball again and Rich Payne.

“Then Rich Cole down the order again got us up to 269. I thought for them that George Wyrill bowled really well, with a lot of control and hit good lines and lengths.

“Bowling-wise we fielded pretty well but there were two stand-out performers. Matt bowled eight straight, 3-14 and Sam bowled four overs 5-5. He got his lines and lengths right.

“To be fair to them, Wes batted well and didn’t get an awful lot of support. It didn’t help that Steve Tucker got injured when they were fielding as well, he was batting on one leg.

“But it was a good win, 20 points and from our perspective we’ll look to go again against Poole next week.”

Bere main sponsor: Booth Gadenne

Bere first XI match ball sponsor: Peter Wharf

Bere second XI match ball sponsor: Rob Hall