ST GEORGE’S began the defence of their Dorchester Evening League Division One crown with a 22-run victory over Puddletown.

The Saints (121-6), title winners for the last three years, remain the team to beat after disposing of the Villagers (99-8) in their opening league fixture thanks in part to the contributions of Andy Legg (40) with the bat and Mark James (4-21) with the ball.

Puddletown (130-6) though, made up for the defeat with victory over newly promoted Dewlish (126-1), in which T Orford (68 not out) stole the show.

Last year’s runners-up, Martinstown (96-6), tied their first match of the season with Dorchester Youth (96-8).

Tom Adams finished unbeaten on 50 for Martinstown, whose Dan Belt snared 4-16. Youth’s star performers were Ian Sibley (33) and Dan Floyd (2-24).

Elsewhere in Division One, Cerne Valley (111-1) claimed the spoils over Knockout Cup winners Herrison Youth (108-6).

However, a better outcome saw Herrison (59-0) progress to the next round of this year’s cup competition at the expense of Dorchester Youth (57 all out). Rich Cole (3-21) helped dismiss the county town side for a paltry sum.

Ryan Norman stole the limelight as Winfrith (129-4) also tasted victory in the cup, beating Puddletown (80 all out) by 49 runs.

The all-rounder smashed 60 with the willow before finishing with impressive bowling figures of 4-13.

The remaining cup fixture saw Dewlish (105-8) defeat Cerne Valley (104-5).

Last season’s Division Two runners-up Cattistock (94-9) got off to a bad start this time around as they fell to defeat at the hands of Hazelbury Bryan (97-5).

Bere Regis (127-5), who suffered relegation from the top tier, were also beaten in the first round of fixtures despite seeing T Bennett plunder 84 runs. His mammoth effort failed to prevent Charlton Down (130-1) prevailing.

The other Division Two game saw Abbotsbury (57-0) get the better of Puddletown Reserves (56-4).

In Division Three, E Hill (4-9) put on a great spell of bowling to help Churches United (125-2) overcome Colliton Club (67 all out).

Others to taste opening day success were Martinstown Seconds (114-5), who beat BAE (70-5), and Frampton (114-2) who saw off Puddletown RFC (58-3).

RESULTS Knockout Cup: Winfrith 129-4 (R Norman 60, S Goodhew 2-37) beat Puddletown 80 all out (T Orford 20, R Norman 4-13); Herrison Youth 59-0 (D Griffiths 30no, V Madu 0-12) beat Dorchester Youth 57 all out (J Power 24no, Rich Cole 3-21); Dewlish 105-8 (T Hewish 30, S Green 4-32) beat Cerne Valley 104-5 (C Watts 43, J Miller 3-34).

Division One: Puddletown 130-6 (T Orford 68no, S Ross 2-33) beat Dewlish 126-1 (T Hewish 59no, N Barrett 1-27); Cerne Valley 111-1 (A Healey 57no, Rich Cole 1-16) beat Herrison Youth 108-6 (I Legg 48no, C Watts 2-20); Dorchester Youth 96-8 (I Sibley 33, D Belt 4-16) tied with Martinstown 96-6 (T Adams 50no, D Floyd 2-24); St George’s 121-6 (A Legg 40, T Goodhew 2-4) beat Puddletown 99-8 (T Ascott 33, M James 4-21).

Division Two: Abbotsbury 57-0 (S Ford 30no, J Bailey 0-7) beat Puddletown Reserves 56-4 (H Mason 29no, G Straker 1-10); Hazelbury Bryan 97-5 (A Fitzgerald 28no, J Baggs 2-17) beat Cattistock 94-9 (M Langford 41, A Fitzgerald 4-21); Charlton Down 130-1 (A Cossen 43, A Wilson 0-13) beat Bere Regis 127-5 (T Bennett 84, E Square 3-28).

Division Three: Martinstown Seconds 114-5 (N Quintrell 38, G Miller 1-24) beat BAE 70-5 (I Thomas 36, N Cronk 1-12); Churches United 125-2 (M Hoffman 47no, B Dovell 1-12) beat Colliton Club 67 all out (A Chance 26, E Hill 4-9); Frampton 114-2 (J Pretty 59no, K Vercoe 1-29) beat Puddletown RFC 58-3 (K Vercoe 26no, M White 1-4).

FIXTURES Tonight, Division One: St George’s v Cerne Valley.

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

Division Three: Martinstown Seconds v Colliton Club.

Knockout Cup: Plush v Frampton.

Friday, Division One: Herrison Youth v Dorchester Youth, Martinstown v Puddletown.

Knockout Cup: St George’s v Abbotsbury.

Monday, Division Two: Winfrith v Abbotsbury.

Tuesday, Division Three: Plush v Martinstown 2nds, BAE v Colliton Club.

Knockout Cup: Cattistock v Bere Regis.

Wednesday, May 20, Division One: Cerne Valley v Dewlish, Dorchester Youth v St George’s, Herrison Youth v Martinstown.

Division Two: Bere Regis v Hazelbury Bryan.

Division Three: Churches United v Frampton.