CATTISTOCK & SYMENE 132 (4pts) lost to BERE REGIS 134-4 (20pts) by six wickets

SPIN proved Cattistock & Symene’s downfall as Bere Regis claimed a comfortable six-wicket victory in the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League.

All 10 Foxes wickets fell to spinners, with Bere’s Sam Goodhew claiming 4-54 and going on to notch 43 with the bat as the visitors won handsomely with a stonking 24.5 overs to go.

Foxes’ captain Brad Damen won the toss and elected to bat first, with Bridport footballer Luke King taking his opportunity at the top of the order.

King smashed 10 fours to repel a Bere Regis attack that began to make inroads once spin was introduced.

Sean Walbridge temped Leo Gurd (6) into offering a catch to Cameron Robertson – ensuring there was no repeat of Gurd’s 121 not out for the Foxes’ second team last week.

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Next ball, Walbridge bowled Bradley Mullins but Ben Golledge (1) blocked out the hat-trick delivery before falling victim to Goodhew.

King’s enterprising knock of 46 from 60 balls was finally ended when Walbridge pinned him leg before and Jason Bradley lasted only two balls when Goodhew also dismissed him lbw.

At 70-5, the hosts were in danger of collapsing but retaliation came from Damen (34) and Ollie Legg (26), the duo hitting two sixes and seven boundaries between them.

Their stand of 52 was broken by Goodhew, who bowled both players before left-arm spinner Dave Griffiths (3-6) helped roll Cattistock out for 132.

Foxes’ opening bowler Brad Mullins (2-22) struck early in the second innings as both Matt King (22) and Rich Payne (0) perished to the seamer.

But destructive hitting from Robertson (42) and Goodhew (43) got Bere to the brink of victory, clinched via Tim Goodhew (6no) and Tom Munnings (10no).

After sealing victory with 149 balls to spare, away captain Brian Keegan was highly satisfied.

He said: “The spinners, between them they strangled the match.

“Sam had a few four-balls in there but sometimes with the dimensions of that ground as a batsman you can get away with one or two.

“Sam was unfortunate in that respect but bowled well anyway.

“When it came to our batting, Sam and Cameron put on 78 for the third wicket and that got us over the line.

“Cameron got 42 off 22 balls and was unfortunately run out – otherwise, maybe a 50 was beckoning.

“They did the lion’s share and in the end we went at quite a rate and got over the line quite quickly. I couldn’t ask for much more.”

In County Division Four, Bere Regis Seconds beat Swanage Seconds by 39 runs.