SWANAGE 94 (3pts) lost to Dorchester SECONDS 98-4 (19pts) by six wickets

MIKE Peake helped himself to an astonishing eight-wicket haul as Dorchester Seconds grabbed their first win of the Dorset League Division Two campaign.

The in-form bowler snared a remarkable 8-29 as hosts Swanage were all out for just 94.

Dorchester had little problem in their quest for victory with knocks from 14-year-old Marcus Evans (28) and experienced head Ian Sibley (23 not out) steering the visitors to a six-wicket win.

Co-captain Simon Joslin, currently sidelined through injury, said: “It was a very good performance, the whole team were excellent. Mike was outstanding in particular. He bowled incredibly well and it’s probably the best I’ve ever seen him play.

“We also took some great catches, which gave everyone a lift, and we didn’t look back.

“We bowled them out for 94 and although they had two good opening bowlers we did a very good job with the bat, with Colin Edney acting as our anchor.

“Although only 14, Marcus Evans looked good and is definitely one for the future, while Ian Sibley saw us home.

“It all looks very encouraging and I believe we will have a successful season. Selection is going to be a headache but it’s a nice one to have as I doubt we will be scratching around for players.

“We’ve got a lot of youngsters coming through and it all looks very promising. Let’s hope we can keep it going.”

Having won the toss, the hosts opted to bat and made 26 runs before Peake opened his account with the dismissal of M Nash (6).

At 67-2, Swanage were no doubt oblivious to the crisis that was set to strike as Peake tore through the order, claiming seven victims to leave the home side starring down the barrel at 79-9.

Late defiance from D Binoy (11) only delayed the inevitable and Dorchester were firmly in the driving seat.

The county town reply started in similar fashion to the Swans’, with Ian Legg (15) departing 27 runs in following a miserly spell from opening bowlers R King (0-11) and P Higham (2-39).

However, Evans arrived at the crease to put the visitors back on track before Sibley also weighed in with a solid contribution.

Victory was complete in the 32nd over, courtesy of Sibley’s boundary, and Dorchester Seconds were left to reflect on a job well done.