BROADSTONE 144 (3pts) lost to Dorchester 146-3 (20pts) by seven wickets

DORCHESTER soared to the Dorset Premier League summit after stretching their winning run to six matches.

Previous pacesetters Poole Town suffered their first defeat of the season at title rivals Parley while the latest victims of the county town juggernaut were Broadstone.

The East Dorset outfit were bowled out for 144 before Dorchester eased home with seven wickets in hand.

Leading the visitors’ assault were Phil Morley (4-32), Paul Tweddle (46no) and all-rounder Rob Waite, who took two wickets and one catch before chipping in with 43 runs.

Skipper Martyn Richards was also impressed with the efforts of teenagers Joe Power (3-30), James Dunham (0-9) and Hugh Pryce.

He said: “They really looked the part and I’m looking forward to seeing more of them in the future.

“James really impressed with his line and length while Joe deserved his wickets.”

Reflecting on his side’s sixth successive win, Richards added: “We were confident going into the game, we needed a big performance and that is exactly what we got.

“It was a great team performance but there were some impressive individual contributions as well.

“All of our bowlers performed very well but the main destroyer was Phil Morley – he was superb.

“With a bit more luck he would’ve bagged a five-wicket haul.

“In reply Rob Waite and Paul Tweddle shared a partnership of 78 for the third wicket before myself and Paul saw us home in 26.1 overs.

“This was a potential banana skin but it proved to be one of our most impressive performances of the season.

“Going top of the table is the perfect boost heading into next Saturday’s game with Weymouth.”

Dorchester lost the toss but made the brighter start at the Delph as opening bowlers Morley and Andy Mead (1-21) had the top order reeling.

So much so that Broadstone’s top five batsmen departed with just 54 runs on the board.

Ryan Wiltshire (28) and Greg Parsons (28) provided some form of resistance but the introduction of Power and Waite (2-25), after Moxom (0-21) and Dunham had delivered tight spells, helped bring the home innings to a close in the 44th over.

The county town reply stuttered to begin with as Moxom (8) and Dave Maslen (9) were sent packing early on.

However, Waite and Tweddle got the visitors back on track with a 78-run partnership.

And when the former was caught by James Rimmer off the delivery of Matt Spraggs (1-11), Richards (21no) came to the fore and smashed a superb six to finish the game in style.