ST GEORGE’S took a giant step towards clinching their fifth successive Dorchester Evening League Division One crown.

Last week’s results could not have gone any better for the Saints as they (114-1) beat Cerne Valley (110-6) while title rivals Herrison Youth and Martinstown both lost.

Dorset team manager Sean Walbridge snared three wickets, for the loss of only 19 runs, as Cerne closed on 110-6.

And the table-toppers, who now lie six points clear, chased down the target with ease thanks to an unbeaten knock of 66 from Andy Legg.

Knockout Cup winners Herrison Youth, who defeated St George’s in this year’s showpiece, were brought crashing down to Earth courtesy of a 56-run defeat at the hands of Dewlish.

The latter posted 107-8 from their allotted overs while Youth were skittled for 51 with Justin Miller (4-20) leading the Dewlish attack.

Third-placed Martinstown also failed to keep up with the Saints – who can lift the title with victory in tonight’s game against Dewlish – as they wilted under the pressure in their match with Hazelbury Bryan.

Alfie Fitzgerald top scored with 31 as Bryan tallied 105-7 – Matt Camp returning figures of 3-18.

However, Martinstown came up short and were all out for 61 with Dave Cleave (4-15) wreaking havoc in the visitors’ line-up.

Bere Regis (139-6) meanwhile, appear to have won the race for the Division Two title after they saw off nearest rivals Abbotsbury (135-7) in a top-of-the-table clash.

Simon Mitchem plundered 54 runs for the latter but his efforts were trumped by Pete Macklin’s 60 in the Bere reply.

Charlton Down enjoyed a successful week as they bagged two victories against Frampton and Winfrith respectively.

Ed Elliott-Square smash a superb 90 to help his side to 175-5 in the match against Frampton while Ashley Matthews’ (4-36) efforts with the ball saw their opponents (128-7) fall short by 47 runs. Mark Homewood (4-35) then snared four wickets as Charlton Down (158-8) also got the better of Winfrith (130-8).

RESULTS Division One: Hazelbury Bryan 105-7 (Alfie Fitzgerald 31, Matt Camp 3-18) beat Martinstown 61 a/o (Danny Dancer 19, Dave Cleave 4-15); St George’s 114-1 (Andy Legg 66no, Craig Kellaway 1-19) beat Cerne Valley 110-6 (Neil Kellaway 38, Sean Walbridge 3-19); Dewlish 107-8 (Steve Hillier 20, Matt King 3-23) beat Herrison Youth 51 (Rich Cole 12, Justin Miller 4-20).

Division Two: Charlton Down 158-8 (A Jones 45, Steve Everill 3-45) beat Winfrith 130-8 (Ryan Norman 38, Mark Homewood 4-35); Charlton Down 175-5 (Ed Elliott-Square 90, N Brown 1-32) beat Frampton 128-7 (Jack Elliott 25, Ashley Matthews 4-36); Bere Regis 139-6 (Pete Macklin 60, Dave Trotter 3-36) beat Abbotbsury 135-7 (Simon Mitchem 54, Oran Elphinstone-Davis 2-18).

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

Division Two: Bere Regis v Frampton.

Division Three: Puddletown RFC v Churches United.

Tomorrow, Division Three: Martinstown II v Charlton Down II.

Friday, Division One: Puddletown v Cerne Valley, Dewlish v Martinstown, Herrison Youth v Hazelbury Bryan.