BRIDPORT 189-9 CATTISTOCK did not bat – match abandoned due to rain

SKIPPER Mark Smith expressed his disappointment after rain forced the abandonment of Bridport’s clash away to Cattistock.

The visitors had reached a challenging 189-9 from 42 overs when the heavens opened to bring a premature end to this Dorset League Division Three encounter.

Dom Gape (46) and Liam Toohill (38) had been the mainstays of the innings and had constructed a healthy second-wicket partnership of 60.

An early tea was taken in the hope that the clouds may disperse, but with no respite imminent, both teams agreed to call a permanent halt to proceedings.

Smith, who felt Bridport would have been favourites had the match gone the distance, could only lament the intervention of the weather.

He said: “I think Cattistock were happy for it to be called off. With the way the wicket was playing, because of the rain on Friday night, we had a very good chance of winning.

“The second team’s game was called off before a ball had been bowled so I had a very strong team on the field.

“I was going to bowl first but lost the toss for the second game running so we had to bat first. Our target was 200 and we were on course for that.

“The pitch was horrible to bat on because the ball was stopping in the wicket, and most of our batsmen were caught out having committed to their strokes too early.

“With our bowling attack I thought we could skittle Cattistock out. Unfortunately, the rain started to fall and it didn’t look like stopping.”

Luke King and 13-year-old Jack Walklett were the undefeated batsmen, and the latter’s resilient display looks set to retain him his place in the line-up for this weekend.

Bridport host Stalbridge Seconds at Brewery Field on Saturday (2pm) and should also include left-armer Wes Lewis, who missed the trip to Cattistock.

Newly-promoted Stalbridge have adapted quickly to life in Division Three, racking up 226-5 in a 52-run victory over Cattistock on April 30.

Opener Smith added: “The Cattistock captain said they were a weakened side and had only 10 players against Stalbridge, so we’ll need to take them as we find them.

“Jack is a young lad but he really impressed me and I think I’m going to give him another opportunity to show what he can do.”