CERNE VALLEY 187-7 (9pts) lost to SHAFTESBURY 191-8 (18pts) by two wickets

CERNE Valley are still looking for their first win of the season after a two-wicket defeat to Shaftesbury in County Division Two.

On a blisteringly hot afternoon at the Simsay Oval play was closely contested as Shaftesbury won the toss and elected to field.

The visitors soon took the first scalp of the game when Peter Rawlinson (2-45) dismissed Russ Hurford (0).

Cerne then lost star batsman James Ellwood (17), quickly followed by the fall of Solo Roper (6).

Cerne’s opening batsman John Stiles (61) batted excellently until he was caught leg before by Sam Harris who produced figures of 4-40, taking another three wickets late on.

Craig Kellaway (25), a Cerne veteran, as well as Pearce Mercer (32) and Rob Meech (17no) boosted the score and Cerne eventually managed to reach a competitive score of 187-7 – a big improvement on recent weeks.

In reply, Shaftesbury’s innings was very similar to Cerne’s with notable innings by Kevin Monaghan (48), Harris (15) but Josh Nieboer (21) and Peiter Becker (26no) helped get the hosts over the line with a couple of overs to spare.

Cerne’s bowling attack constituted mainly of Pearce Mercer’s pace bowling (3-42) and the spin bowling of Mike Collinge (4-25).

George Chubb’s men travel to Corfe Mullen away tomorrow (1.30pm).