COMPTON HOUSE 161 (18pts) beat DORCHESTER SECONDS 87 (5pts) by 74 runs

DORCHESTER Seconds suffered their first Dorset League Division One defeat of the season, losing by 74 runs at Compton House.

The county town side, who were promoted from Division Two last year, bowled out their hosts for 161. But the former Premier League side, and R Dunning in particular (4-5), found their form with the ball to skittle the visitors for a lowly 87.

Dorchester skipper Ollie Bennett said: “We were quite happy to bowl them out for 161, we just didn’t have the depth in the batting order to make an impact on the total.

“I believe we’re still another couple of weeks away until we get our strongest team together. However, there were a lot of young lads who came in and did well. We had three players under the age of 16 and the experience will do them the world of good.

“Compton House were a Premier League side last year while some of our players were in Division Eight, so they did well really.”

The county town outfit looked on course of a good afternoon when Joe Power (1-37) halted the progress of opening batsman S Wildbur (23).

But after a tricky start, Compton House were able to call upon the expertise of Dunning who blasted his way to 61. And with just two more home batsmen reaching double figures, Dunning’s contribution proved critical.

Mike Peak (3-38) claimed the most home wickets while Bennett provided a good spell to claim two dismissals in just 3.3 overs.

In reply, Dorchester struggled to get going and looked doomed at 24-3. Vice-captain Stuart Voss (28) provided some resistance but no one else was able to match, or even come close to his tally.

And the visitors slumped to a paltry 87 all out, thanks in part to a superb five-over spell from Dunning, who sent five county town men packing with just four runs conceded.

Next up for Bennett’s side is a home clash with Sherborne on Saturday.

The captain, who will be missing for the fixture, added: “It’ll be a tough game. I can’t play and neither can a few others so it’s a good opportunity for some of the fringe players to come in.”