DORCHESTER 2ND 131 (18) beat WITCHAMPTON 102 (6) by 29 runs

A SIX-WICKET haul from captain Nick Joslin helped Dorch-ester Seconds claim their first win of the Dorset Funeral Plan Division Two campaign.

The county town outfit scored 131 with the bat, aided by George Thomas' knock of 39, but managed to restrict their visitors to 102 thanks to Joslin's figures of 6-24, ably supported by Justin Miller (4-33).

The winning skipper said: "It was a pleasing win for us and a bit of comeback because we got off to a terrible start with the bat at 2-21 before losing a couple more wickets early on.

"We did have to make eight changes from the previous week and four of our top five haven't had a lot of cricket despite being good players.

"Luckily though, George Thomas, who also bowled well, got what was required in a patient innings while Alex Godfrey, Stuart Voss and Justin Miller also contributed to help us get 131 and give us something to bowl at.

"I know I took six wickets but that was down to early pressure from Justin and Tom Caines. Justin put on a great all-round display but as a team we were brilliant."

Dorchester won the toss at the Rec and lost opener Graeme Stephens (6) with only ten runs chalked up. Partners came and went for Thomas with little impression made on the scoreboard, but Godfrey (17), Miller (19) and Voss (20) did their utmost to help post a respectable tally for the hosts.

Thomas was eventually dismissed by Hopkins' catch off Hayter's delivery (5-22) before Joslin, Caines and James Dunham could only add a combined score of eight to their final count.

In reply Witchampton got off to a better start in their innings with just two wickets gone for 52 runs, both of which claimed from Miller's bowling.

Joslin's attack sent a quartet of Witchampton men walking with 95 on the board and the game still hanging in the balance. Alder (10) gave the visitors a chance but with the remaining four batsmen notching a mere run between them, Dorchester held on comfortably to claim victory.

REC SCOREBOARD

DORCHESTER SECONDS

Stephens b Alder 6

Thomas c Hopkins b Hayter 39

Clifford lbw Hayter 4

Diffey c Gr Wayman b Alder 4

Ames c Ashford b Alder 0

Godfrey c Ashford b Crocker 17

Miller c Ashford b Hibberd 19

Voss c Crocker b Hayter 20

Joslin b Hayter 2

Caines b Hayter 4

Dunham not out 2

Extras (2b, 5lb, 4w, 3nb) 14

Total (all out, 44.2 overs) 131

FoW: 1-10, 2-21, 3-28, 4-30, 5-60, 6-83, 7-120, 8-121, 9-126

Bowling: Alder 12-2-35-3, Hayter 10.2-1-22-5, Hibberd 12-1-37-1, Crocker 7-1-28-1, Hopkins 3-2-2-0

WITCHAMPTON SECONDS

Ashford c&b Miller 27

Hopkins c Thomas b Miller 3

Crocker b Joslin 14

Ga Wayman c&b Joslin 2

Hibberd c Godfrey b Joslin 29

Hayter b Joslin 1

Alder b Miller 10

Gr Wayman c Miller b Joslin 1

McCormack b Miller 0

Walker st Voss b Joslin 0

Metcalfe not out 0

Extras (1b, 2lb, 12w) 15

Total (all out, 35.3 overs) 102

FoW: 1-21, 2-52, 3-52, 4-76, 5-80, 6-95, 7-100, 8-102, 9-102

Bowling: Caines 7-2-25-0, Miller 11.3-1-33-4, Joslin 11-5-24-6, Thomas 6-0-17-0