Clifford cuts loose for superb knock of 65

STEVE Clifford's fine half century helped Martinstown move into second place in Division One of the Dorchester Evening League.

The Dorchester Seconds batsman cut loose and knocked 65 as his side compiled a first innings tally of 162-4. That proved more than enough as opponents Dorchester Youth only managed 87 all-out in reply with C Read snaring 3-11.

However, it is reigning champions St Georges (124-8) who remain top of the pile. They defeated early pacesetters Puddletown (82 all out) thanks mainly to S Prior's superb 37 and Fred Etherington's 4-16 with the ball.

In the top flight's other fixture, Herrison Youth (160-4) defeated Cerne Valley (159-3). G King impressed with 68 not out for the winners but that was eclipsed by N Wardlaw's 86 not out for Cerne.

S Hillier's 75 not out helped Division Two leaders Dewlish (110-1) beat Puddletown Reserves (109-7).

The table toppers also owed a lot to T Kellaway who snared 3-19.

Second-placed Cattistock (88-3) were also victorious against their opponents Charlton Down (84-4).

B Golledge was in inspired form with an unbeaten 38 while M Langford took 2-20. Charlton's star performer was M Homewood with 35 not out.

The league also witnessed a marvellous spell of bowling from Hazelbury Bryan's (113-7) I Leonard who took 7-11 in his side's victory over Abbotsbury (77-7).

Churches United (147-5) made it four wins out of four by comfortably overcoming BAE (92 all out) in Division Three.

S Wakely set up the win with a fine 67 before M Hoffman followed up in the second innings with a devastating spell of bowling that saw him take 5-19.

Bere Regis and Herrison Youth also progressed in the cup. Bere (136-6) beat Frampton (104-7) while Herrison (104-7) overcame Hazelbury (101-9), who saw A Fitzgerald score 53.

RESULTS

Cup: Bere Regis 136-6 (D Rogerson 43, N Brown 4-26) beat Frampton 104-7 (L Loder 20, P Macklin 3-14), Herrison Youth 104-7 (L Pitman 45, M Lewis 3-14) beat Hazelbury Bryan 101-9 (A Fitzgerald 53, N Woodruff 3-17).

Division One: St Georges 124-8 (S Prior 37, C Ascott 2-12) beat Puddletown 82 (T Goodhew 20, F Etherington 4-16), Herrison Youth 160-4 (G King 68no, C Kellaway 2-42) beat Cerne Valley 159-3 (N Wardlaw 86no, M Slade 1-38), Martinstown 162-4 (S Clifford 65, J Hopkins 2-22) beat Dorchester Youth 87 (J Holt 25, C Read 3-11).

Division Two: Abbotsbury 119-2 (S Ford 43, T Atkinson 1-19) beat Plush 118-7 (D House 32, S Mitchem 4-44), Cattistock 88-3 (B Golledge 38no, R Fagence 2-45) beat Charlton Down 84-4 (M Homewood 35no, M Langford 2-20), Dewlish 110-1 (S Hillier 75no, R Smith 1-32) beat Puddletown Reserves 109-7 (S Adams 16, T Kellaway 3-19), Hazelbury Bryan 113-7 (J Bettle 44, S Mitchem 4-33) beat Abbotsbury 77-7 (S Mitchem 20no, S Pengelly 20, I Leonard 7-11).

Division Three: Churches United 147-5 (S Wakely 67, S Roles 1-20) beat BAE 92 (G Otter 43, M Hoffman 5-19), Winfrith 159-4 (R Norman 57, M Clarke 3-31) beat Martinstown 2nds 86-4 (M Sibley 20, S Bundey 3-5), Frampton 89-8 (C Walbrin 43no, A Church 3-20) beat Puddletown RFC 81-7 (C Ricketts 29, M Drake 3-15).

FIXTURES

Tonight, Division One: Martinstown v Bere Regis.

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

Division Three: Colliton Club v BAE.

Cup: Cattistock v Dorchester Youth.

Tomorrow, Division One: Herrison Youth v Dorchester Youth.

Cup: Martinstown Seconds v Dewlish.

Monday, Division One: Puddletown v Bere Regis.

Tuesday, Division Two: Cattistock v Abbotsbury.

Division Three: Churches United v Martinstown Seconds.

Wednesday, Division One: St Georges v Martinstown.

Division Three: Puddletown RFC v BAE.