FERNDOWN 101 (5pts) lost to BRIDPORT 117-9 (17pts) by 16 runs

SKIPPER Chris Backhouse praised his side's dynamic performance in the field after a remarkable transformation saw Bridport end Ferndown's unbeaten run in Dorset Funeral Plan Division Two.

Defeat looked certain when the visitors mustered just 117 runs in their allotted 45 overs but the league leaders were bowled out for a paltry 101 in reply following an unmitigated collapse in which only opener Neil Sexton (56) reached double figures.

And Backhouse, who masterminded the victory which adds credence to his side's promotion credentials, could not contain his elation after the triumph.

He said: "Hats off to the bowlers again because they were exceptional and the fielding was also brilliant.

"Given that we were without James Windebank and Andrew Sherring, who both bowled really well last week, it was an incredible effort to defend that score.

"Ashley Nicholls was excellent again for us and got it going with the early wickets and I'm absolutely ecstatic."

Backhouse elected to bat after calling correctly and although opener Matt Sherring (8) was dismissed by Dave Ballam (3-22) with only 18 runs on the board, Sean Fitzgerald and Dave Herbert advanced the score to 42 without further alarm.

But the latter's untimely departure for seven sparked off another collapse as the scrutinised middle order subsided to a relentless bowling unit.

Survival superseded efforts to score runs as only Backhouse (23 not out) stabilised the innings but once Fitzgerald fell for 46, Bridport's hopes of setting an imposing target were extinguished.

Ferndown were positive in pursuit of victory and untroubled until paceman Ashley Nicholls altered the complexion of the match with two wickets in an over.

And when Herbert (3-38) matched Nicholls' feat shortly after, Fern-down's jitters became palpable as Bridport assumed the initiative.

This apprehension was justified as the visitors gained momentum with each wicket that tumbled and once captain Dave Fillingham was trapped in front to Backhouse (1-19), Ferndown were 48-6.

Such was Bridport's supremacy that the home side's reply became a procession of batsmen walking to and from the crease in the encroaching gloom.

Nicholls came back for his second spell after a mandatory break and dismissed Jake Clarke to return outstanding figures of 3-31 in nine overs, which was testimony to his sterling work as the spearhead of the attack.

Aptly, it was man of the match Fitzgerald (2-12) who rubberstamped the victory with 16 runs to spare by uprooting the resilient Sexton's stumps.

Backhouse added: "To come to the leaders and turn them over is a great achievement for us and we'll be looking to push on next week and are aiming for maximum points.

"The middle order again didn't fire which was disappointing and is something we need to look at, but Ferndown bowled very well."

KING GEORGE v SCOREBOARD

BRIDPORT

Fitzgerald c Stanton b Sexton 46

Sherring c Rose b Ballam 8

Herbert b Ballam 7

Everitt b Ballam 2

Good c Fillingham b Raftery 2

C Backhouse not out 23

Smith lbw Fillingham 0

Bloxham lbw Fillingham 0

Nicholls b Fillingham 4

Gape c Sexton b Forrest 8

Jones not out 2

Extras 15

Total: (9 wkts, 45 overs) 117

FoW: 1-18, 2-42, 3-66, 4-77, 5-77, 6-80, 7-80, 8-89, 9-111

Bowling: Ballam 12-2-22-3, Forrest 8-1-33-1, Raftery 10-1-33-1, Sexton 9-2-19-1, Fillingham 6-1-10-3

FERNDOWN

Sexton b Fitzgerald 56

Drue lbw Nicholls 5

Webster b Nicholls 0

Raftery b Herbert 1

Armstrong c Good b Herbert 2

Stanton b Herbert 0

Fillingham lbw C Backhouse 7

Rose b Fitzgerald 9

Forrest run out 0

Clarke b Nicholls 3

Ballam not out 0

Extras 18

Total: (all out, 29.5 overs) 101

FoW: 1-19, 2-19, 3-32, 4-34, 5-34, 6-48, 7-83, 8-83,9-100

Bowling: Nicholls 9-1-31-3, Herbert 10-1-38-3, C Backhouse 6-1-19-1, Fitzgerald 4.5-1-12-2

Man of the match (sponsored by N Good and Son): Sean Fitzgerald