SHERBORNE 304-7 (18pts) beat BEAMINSTER 232-7 (8pts) by 72 runs

BEAMINSTER conceded 300 runs for the second consecutive match as they slumped to their ninth defeat of the season.

Last time out the West Dorset outfit toiled under a blistering assault from county star Darren Cowley, whose Suttoners side racked up 350-6 in a routine triumph.

And there was a sense of déjà vu for rock-bottom Beaminster, who opted to bowl first against Sher-borne on Saturday only to haemorrhage 304-7.

All-rounder Simon Jones (73) made a long-awaited return to form, but his innings could not prevent Beaminster from crashing to another heavy reversal at Memorial Field.

Nevertheless, skipper Ross Baker was not too disheartened and felt his basement boys had performed well against formidable opposition.

Reflecting on the game, he said: “It was similar to the week before. Sherborne batted exceptionally well and had a strong batting line-up on a flat wicket.

“It was always going to be tough to chase down the target but I was pleased that we dug in after losing a few quick wickets.

“Simon looked back to his old self and that’s positive because we have missed his runs. Once he gets into form he normally kicks on and that’s what we hope he will do.”

Baker added: “Our aim is to collect as many points as we can against the top sides, like Sherborne, and beat those around us.

“In the last two weeks we’ve picked up 16 against two teams at the top of the table, so we feel we’ve done that.”

By inserting Sherborne in order to maximise his side’s prospects of collecting a decent amount of points, Baker sacrificed first use of what looked a batting paradise.

And while Jones (1-36) bowled another miserly spell, the other members of the attack wilted in the heat and were duly punished.

Baker returned figures of 2-79 from 10 expensive overs, while Andrew Sherring (1-54), Paul Martin (1-58) and Mark Barber (1-50) were all put to the sword.

Opening batsmen Richie Runyard and Chris Park both perished for 17 in response, before the dismissals of Nick David (12) and Joe Hawkins (0) left Beaminster reeling on 73-4.

Jones and Dan Hillier (35) then embarked on a rescue operation and their stylish partnership of 99 for the fifth wicket restored respectability.

Although both departed, the captain notched an unbeaten 27 to ensure that Beaminster – still with only a single Dorset League Division One victory – at least saw out their overs.