Beaminster nearer safety

SHERBORNE 176-8 (8pts) lost to BEAMINSTER 178-7 (19) by 3 wkts.

BEAMINSTER'S 19 point haul at the Memorial Playing Fields put them safe from relegation.

Captain Ian Hutchings thought an essentially good batting track might do something early in the day and decided to put Sherborne in.

Young Matt Hansford proved the skipper right with a brilliant six wickets from 12 overs.

In reply, Phil Hawkins and Richard Bugler hung around for a long time to put on 54 for the first wicket.

But it was vice captain Simon Jones, joined by the skipper himself, who put on a match winning partnership.

Jones hit four fours and a six in an excellent half century, while Hutchings carried his bat for 38, which also included five boundaries.

"It was a good all round team performance to come back from last week's defeat," said Hutchings.

"Our recent form is a better reflection of the talent that is within the side."

SHERBORNE

E Elliott-Square b Hansford 45; Baker c Hutchings b Jones 13; Smith lbw Hansford 14; J Elliott-Square c Etherington b Hansford 9; Carter c Baker b Hansford 33; Scott c Hawkins b Jones 22; Nurton b Hansford 13; Tanswell c Baker b Hansford 2; McKinnon not out 4; Miles not out 7; Extras 14

Total (45 overs, 8 wkts) 176

Fall: 1-27, 2-76, 3-85, 4-92, 5-143, 6-163, 7-165, 8-165

Bowling: Jones 12-1-30-2; Lindsay 9-1-36-0; Etherington 9-1-39-0; Hansford 12-0-55-6; Hutchings 3-0-11-0

BEAMINSTER

Hawkins c McKinnon b J Elliott-Square 30; Bugler b Nurton 22; Berrington b J Elliott-Square 0; Jones c J Elliott-Square b Smith 50; Davies c E Elliott-Square b Nurton 11; Hutchings not out 38; Hurford run out 6; Baker c, b Smith 0; Etherington not out 1; Extras 20

Total (43.2 overs, 7 wkts) 178

Fall: 1-54, 2-54, 3-75, 4-117, 5-159, 6-171, 7-174

Bowling: E Elliott-Square 12-1-44-0; Miles 7-0-22-0; Nurton 12-2-35-2; J Elliott-Square 9-0-47-3; Smith 3.2-0-26-2