CHRISTCHURCH 280-6 (17pts) beat BEAMINSTER 195-5 (5pts) by 88 runs

A CENTURY from Mikey Kitson wrecked Beaminster’s quest to open their Dorset League Division Two victory account.

The Christchurch opener plundered a magnificent 123 at the Memorial Ground, which laid the foundations for the visitors’ formidable total of 280-6.

In reply, Beaminster acquitted themselves well with the bat but were always behind the run-rate and eventually finished their 45 overs on 195-5.

Skipper Ross Baker saluted Kitson’s match-winning knock but argued luck had been against his side, who once again were without several experienced heads.

He said: “Their opener batted extremely well and was definitely their star player. It was so frustrating though because he gave us opportunities but the ball wouldn’t go to hand.

“They started very aggressively with the bat and put us on the back foot straight away. We didn’t bowl particularly well, apart from Joe Hawkins.

“At least we did ourselves justice with the bat. Once we had seen off the opening bowlers, Simon Jones came in and batted well, and Will Everitt was superb in his first game.”

The swashbuckling Kitson put Beaminster to the sword from the outset with a belligerent approach that yielded 72 team runs from the opening 12 overs.

An afternoon of leather chasing continued as Simon Jones (0-48) and Baker (1-82) uncharacteristically haemorrhaged runs.

Joe Hawkins was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of 3-37 from his 10 overs, but Beaminster knew at the interval that they faced a monumental task.

Openers Richie Runyard (14) and Nick David (19) survived a testing new-ball examination before Jones (46) joined forces with Will Everitt, who stroked a classy unbeaten 61.

Victory always looked improbable though as Christchurch, buoyed by their batting exploits, never allowed the home side to keep up with the required rate.

Following relegation, basement boys Beaminster had been seeking a quick start to life in Division Two but their early-season toil has prompted Baker to warn his charges not to expect a quick fix.

He added: “Until we get a consistent team out on the field we are going to struggle but for now we can only make do with what we have got.

“We are not out of our depth at this level, like we were last year, but it may be a couple of weeks yet until we can put out a side capable of performing week in, week out.”