CRANBORNE 210-9 (20pts) beat Dorchester SECONDS 158 (8pts) by 52 runs

NOT even a four-wicket haul from skipper Stuart Beasley could prevent Dorchester Seconds from falling to defeat at the hands of promotion-chasing Cranborne.

The county town leader returned figures of 4-40 but, boosted by a knock of 99 from their own captain, the Dorset League Division Two high-fliers were able to reach 210 before the end of their 45 overs.

Dorchester fought hard in response but lacked the telling contribution needed to propel their reply. And in the end, the away side were all out for 158.

Beasley said: “After losing the toss and being asked to field it was crucial that we got some early wickets.

“It was down to Pete Philips (2-70) and myself (4-40) to take the new ball. Pete was the first to get the breakthrough when their opener edged through to Tony Foot at first slip.

“I then bowled the other opener in the next over with a ball that hit the middle stump, not even halfway up. This then brought Cranborne’s captain to the crease and he played his shots from ball one.

“It was eight overs later when we managed to get the third wicket with James Caldwell (1-26) trapping their number three leg before for only three runs.

“With the ball getting softer, making it easier for the batsmen, it was over to the spin twins Joe Power (0-54) and Aaron Oliver (1-15) to try and slow their captain down – but to no avail.

“Aaron finally got a wicket in his fifth over and with chances coming and going to get Cranborne’s captain out, I brought myself and Pete back on and Pete finally managed to have him caught and bowled for a well deserved 99.

“I also managed to take a further three wickets but the damage was already done.

“Chasing 210 was always going to be a challenge but we felt it could be done. Pete Diffy (29) and Simon Joslin (9) got us off to a great start but Simon was then bowled by a great yorker.

“This brought James to the crease and he put on 32 for the next wicket before Pete Diffy was caught off a full toss.

“Rhys Cole (12) and myself (1) came and went with Stu Voss being the only batsman to really make an impact on the score as Cranborne’s spinner took five of our wickets.

“Overall it was a bit of a bad day at the office but hopefully we will sort things out before we take on the leaders Wimborne & Colehill this Saturday.”