SHAFTESBURY 161 all out (9) lost to DORCHESTER SECONDS 180 all out (20) by 19 runs

SKIPPER Nick Joslin led by example as Dorchester captured a fine win at Shaftesbury to move into the top four of Dorset Funeral Plan Division Two.

The experienced bowler snared 5-67 in a superb fielding performance that eventually knocked over the hosts, 19 runs short of their target.

Joslin said: "The pitch was not the best so we were happy to score 180 but to be fair at one point they did look like they might get there when their number five came in.

"We dropped him twice and he rode his luck a little but once we got him out that was it really.

"So overall it was just a good team performance. It was pleasing that I managed to chip in with a few wickets as captain, which is something I did not do a lot of last year, and I thought George Thomas did really well. He is only 17 and is improving with every game.

"We did drop three catches and give away 28 extras so there are still things we need to work on but overall we are doing well."

Joslin won the toss and chose to bat on a tricky wicket, and it looked like a smart decision as openers George Thomas (26) and Mike Peake (36) made early headway.

The pair put on 48 before Peake found the hands of Jimmer Down off the bowling of Dec White (1-48), bringing Steve Clifford (42) to the crease.

The Dorchester number three found his rhythm immediately and put on 44 with Thomas, who was then clean bowled by the impressive Duncan Burles (4-35).

That wicket could have easily signalled the start of a Shaftesbury revival but Graeme Stephens (21) came in and kept his cool, allowing Clifford to continue totting up the runs.

However, Burles continued to work his magic and when he trapped Stephens leg before it finally gave the hosts the momentum they were after.

Suddenly 129-2 became 142-5 with Clifford being run out and Mat Chalmers returning to the pavilion with a duck. Olly Bennett (10) and Joe Baggs (15) fought back by putting up some resistance in the middle order but in the end Dorchester were knocked over for 180 in the 44th over.

In reply, Shaftesbury lost Dan Cluett (4) and Marty Down (2) cheaply but with Dave Toogood (21) and Burles (15) putting on solid knocks it kept them in touch.

Alfie Fitzgerald (52) then came in with the score on 69-3 and began to play some delightful strokes but unfortunately none of his team-mates could stick with him for a sustained period of time as Joslin, Bennett (2-28) and Thomas (1-23) continued making breakthroughs.

Fitzgerald did eventually reach his half-century but he then fell victim to a run out shortly after, leaving his side requiring 40 runs with just two wickets to spare.

Mark Lewis (9) and Ian Dawson (10 not out) tried their best at the tail end but the county town side kept up the pressure and eventually took victory, skittling the hosts for 161.

GLAZE FIELD SCOREBOARD

DORCHESTER SECONDS

Thomas b Burles 26

Peake c Down b White 36

Clifford run out 42

Stephens lbw b Burles 21

Bennett c&b Burles 10

Chalmers b Burles 0

Baggs st Down b Lewis 15

Floyd run out 0

Voss not out 8

Miller b Westcar 4

Joslin b Lewis 0

Extras (6b, 5lb, 7w): 18

Total (all out, 43.3overs): 180

FoW: 1-48, 2-92, 3-129, 4-138, 5-142, 6-163, 7-166, 8-170, 9-179

Bowling: Dawson 5-0-26-0, Fitzgerald 8-0-33-0, White 12-0-48-1, Westcar 5-0-22-1, Burles 12-0-35-4, Lewis 1.3-0-5-2.

SHAFTESBURY

Toogood b Joslin 21

Cluett c Moxom b Baggs 4

M Down b Joslin 2

Burles b Joslin 15

Fitzgerald run out 52

Westcar b Bennett 8

J Down c Voss b Joslin 8

Lowton b Joslin 3

Lewis c Voss b Thomas 9

Dawson not out 10

White b Bennett 0

Extras (3b, 4lb, 17w, 4nb): 28

Total (all out, 41.3overs): 161

FoW: 1-19, 2-43, 3-59, 4-69, 5-93, 6-106, 7-129, 8-141, 9-155.

Bowling: Baggs 6-1-9-1, Miller 7-1-18-0, Joslin 12-1-67-5, Bennett 7.3-1-28-2, Thomas 6-1-23-1, Peake 3-0-9-0.