PUDDLETOWN have joined champions St George's as the early pacesetters at the top of Division One in the Dorchester Evening League.

The village side enjoyed a successful opening to their campaign at home to Dorchester Youth where they captured a 27-run victory.

Puddletown knocked a solid total of 134-5 in the first innings with Tim Orford (34 not out) top scoring before going on and restricting their county town opponents to 107-7.

Ollie Bennett (21) put up some resistance but the bowling of T Ascott (4-31) helped ensure the hosts victory.

Cerne Valley have had mixed fortunes so far. They beat Bere Regis but suffered defeat at Martinstown where Tom Adams (38 not out) and C Read (4-17) stood out for the home side, who knocked 79-1 in reply to 76-7.

In Division Two, Dewlish top the table thanks to two successive victories.

Their most recent win came at home to Charlton Down where they bowled out their opponents for 51-9 before capturing glory with 53-5.

W King (21) and A Crabb (4-19) were the winners' top performers.

Churches United also hold a perfect record in Division Three. After wins in their opening two games, they made it three in a row with a home victory over Winfrith.

The visitors made 96-9 but Cerne hit back with 99-5 thanks to a fine knock from A Davis (27). D Portch (4-30) was the home side's top bowler but it was also a good evening for Winfrith's Steve Bundey (4-13).

In the cup, Colliton Club progressed with a comfortable home win over Puddletown RFC.

Colliton set a target of 140-3 thanks to a stunning knock by L Starck (49) before then restricting their opponents to 108-5. Ray Stephens (34) fought valiantly for the rugby club while S Bailey (2-25) produced a solid spell with the ball for the hosts.

Results Knockout Cup: Colliton Club 140-3 (L Starck 49, C Ricketts 1-14) beat Puddletown RFC 108-5 (R Stephens 34, S Bailey 2-25).

Division One: Puddletown 134-5 (T Orford 34no, J Dunham 2-18) beat Dorchester Youth 107-7 (O Bennett 21, T Ascott 4-31), Cerne Valley 99-5 (S Watts 27, I Macklin 2-27) beat Bere Regis 96-9 (A Moore 19, D Portch 4-30), Martinstown 79-1 (T Adams 38no, C Kellaway 1-42) beat Cerne Valley 76-7 (K Park 18no, C Read 4-17) Division Two: Dewlish 53-5 (W King 21, M Homewood 3-25) beat Charlton Down 51-9 (M Homewood 11, A Crabb 4-19).

Division Three: BAE 92-3 (I Thomas 42, M Clarke 1-13) beat Martinstown 2nds 90-6 (S Dawson 21no, M Joseph 5-28), Churches United 73-9 (A Davis 27, S Bundey 4-13) beat Winfrith 71-9 (P Titterington 16, P Rooke 4-26), Martinstown 2nds 98-5 (C Ross 50, D Bentley 3-31) beat Frampton 81-8 (L Loder 25, L Banfield 5-18).

Fixtures Tonight, Division Two: Abbotsbury v Plush.

Tomorrow, Division One: Cerne Valley v Herrison Youth, Martinstown v Dorchester Youth.

Division Two: Charlton Down v Cattistock, Puddletown Res v Dewlish, Hazelbury Bryan v Abbotsbury.

Division Three: Puddletown RFC v Frampton.

Friday, Cup: Hazelbury Bryan v Herrison Youth.

May 27, Division Two: Cattistock v Dewlish.

May 28, Division One: St George's v Cerne Valley.

Division Three: Churches United v Puddletown RFC.