Dorchester 251-3 (18pts) beat BLANDFORD 189-6 (5pts) by 67 runs

DORCHESTER came good just when they needed it most to get the win that will almost certainly secure their Dorset Premier Division place for another season.

"We knew we had to produce something special to take the pressure off and we batted and bowled superbly," said skipper Simon Joslin. "It was our best all-round performance of the season."

He couldn't believe his luck when he lost the toss and was invited to bat first by Blandford captain Steve Webb - after all Dorchester's only victories this season have come from that position.

"The wicket looked a bit dodgy and they were obviously expecting it to do something," said Joslin. "It certainly did to start with and there were some unpredictable bounces. But our batsman got their heads down and a terrific second wicket partnership between Ian Sibley and Quinten Miller put on 102 .

"That allowed Dave Chubb and myself to come in and have a go as the wicket got easier and we certainly enjoyed ourselves."

Weymouth Hockey Club star Chubb blasted a season's best of 62 as the pair's unbeaten stand added 116 runs off the last 16 overs to give the county town club maximum batting points.

The brothers Miller opened Dorchester's attack and although Justin conceded 18 off his second over, courtesy of an avalanche of wides, the bowling soon tightened up.

Quinten Miller and Mark Derrien accounted for Webb and Sunil Sawney, and Nick Baker and Matt Pike were also back in the pavilion before the home side had reached their hundred with Derrien taking 3-17 off his first three overs.

After that teenager Steve Clifford, brought back into the side after disappointing in his earlier first team spell, showed the potential he has promised in nets.

"He slowed it down a bit and bowled line and length with some away swing and they just couldn't get him away," said Joslin.

"Our bowlers made sure they never really threatened our total and in the end we just bowled them out of the game," he added.

"Quinten Miller had his best game ever for Dorchester. He has been threatening to do that for a while and if he keeps that up he could become one of the best all-rounders in the league."