BEAMINSTER 92 (6pts) lost to PUDDLETOWN 194 (20pts) by 102 runs

PUDDLETOWN’S dream start to life in County Division One continued with a 102-run victory over Beaminster at the Memorial Ground.

Adam Barrett’s men remain undefeated with four wins from five games and have opened up a 15-point lead over Hamworthy in second.

All this for a side promoted from Division Two just weeks before the season following Shillingstone’s voluntary relegation.

Barrett won the toss and elected to bat first but opener Duncan Macbean (0) edged Nick Hollely (2-31) to wicketkeeper Adam Moss.

James Mitchell (16) offered a return catch to home skipper Ross Baker (1-24) but opener Rob Snow and Barrett rebuilt for Puddle.

READ MORE: Weymouth beaten in low-scoring clash at Hamworthy

Barrett (33) became the first of five victims for Simon Jones (5-53), Beaminster’s trusty all-rounder whipping through the middle order.

However, Steve Chaldecott (16) and Ryan Norman (23) dished out two sixes apiece before Hollely returned to oust the impressive Snow (64), who carved nine fours and a maximum.

Beaminster claimed full bowling points as Puddletown were bowled out for 194 with three balls to spare.

In reply, Beaminster’s fragile batting failed to stand up to the pace of Adam Weir (3-12), while experienced seamer Norman (2-6) chipped in with the huge wickets of Jones (8) and Chris Park (0).

Only Moss (33) and Ben Hollely (10) reached double figures as a generous 28 extras bumped the hosts’ score up to 92.

Moss finally departed when nicking behind to wicketkeeper Reegan Norman having hit five boundaries and a six.

Ben Hollely battled on but wickets subsided around him as spinner Snow (2-6) rounded off his afternoon with two late scalps, while Nick Hollely retired out as last man.

Speaking to Echosport, Barrett was understandably delighted with his side’s form.

He said: “It was another good performance from the lads and it keeps us heading in the right direction.

“Snowy batted brilliantly filling in as an opener, him scoring runs was a big positive for us moving forward and gives us another option.

“Weir was class again with the ball picking up three important wickets.

“He’s in the form of his life at the moment and hopefully we can keep it going for the remainder of the season.”

Puddletown face arguably their toughest test of the season when they host Hamworthy in a top-of-the-table clash at Plush on Saturday (1.30pm).