Cricket

BRIDPORT 255-5 (20pts) beat PIMPERNE 48 (2pts) by 207 runs

BRIDPORT buried the ghosts of last year's shocking start with an emphatic victory in Dorset League Division Two on Saturday.

Half centuries from Sean Fitzgerald and Chris Backhouse got the season off to a flyer as they destroyed ten-man Pimperne.

After last week's rain the game looked very unlikely to go ahead but great work from groundsman Dave Backhouse ensured Bridport took to the field.

Whetlor said: "He's one of the best groundsmen around and without his hard work the game wouldn't have even been played.

"I'm very pleased from the contribution from everyone.

"Instead of the team stuttering after a good start we carried on and even raised the momentum.

"Phil made a great start at the club and young Joe Hawkins played really well in the middle order.

"Also it's quite unbelievable that Jack Frith is only 14 with some of the shots he played.

"I thought Adam Herring was the pick of our bowlers he really got stuck into them."

Whetlor had no hesitation in batting first when he won the toss and soon Pimperne's depleted numbers were made to pay.

All batsmen except Ryan Hayter got stuck into the young opposition with Fitzgerald (60) notching his first half century of the summer and Backhouse in destructive mood with an unbeaten 62.

Bridport closed on a daunting 255 and then returned after the break brimming with confidence.

Andy Sherring and James Windebank made early inroads before Adam Herring ripped through Pimperne's tail to leave them 48 all out.

Whetlor is now blessed with a selection headache as he gears up for a trip to Dorchester for one of the season's trickier fixtures.

"I've got 15 lads available for the next couple of weeks so there will have to be sacrifices somewhere," said the skipper.

"But it is good - competition for places is good for the club."