Dorchester beat Sherborne by 40 runs

DORCHESTER earned another victory in their quest for a fourth straight Dorset Premier League title, beating Sherborne by 40 runs.

However, Dan Belt’s men missed out on full bowling points, meaning they only took 18 of the 20 points available.

Consequently, Poole extended their lead over Dorchester to eight points with two games remaining.

And Wimborne closed to within a point of the county town side after thrashing Christchurch by nine wickets.

READ MORE: Dorchester beat Christchurch by eight wickets

It means the top three remain separated by just nine points with 40 to play for.

Dorchester look increasingly in need of a Poole defeat, coupled with two wins themselves, to retain the league crown.

Sherborne won the toss and invited Dorchester to bat first on a tricky pitch.

The hosts duly reduced Dorchester from 49-0 in a promising opening to 83-4 as the top four of Jim Ryall (10), David Gray (14), Jack Owens (25) and Simon Mitchem (0) all departed.

However, Gautham Rajendar and Belt came to Dorchester’s rescue with a solid partnership of 72 before the latter was run out for 25.

Ni Denham (2-42) and Jake Elsworth (3-34) worked through the lower order but they could not remove Rajendar as the all-rounder accelerated to his half-century.

Sherborne also bowled a criminal 70 extras as Dorchester flew past 200 in the latter stages, the classy Rajendar ending 89 not out from 92 balls having struck ten boundaries.

His efforts saw Dorchester post 257-8 but Sherborne threatened to make light work of the chase thanks to the outstanding Josh Lawrence.

Together with Mark Roca (49), Lawrence amassed 131 for the first wicket as Sherborne knocked off more than 50 per cent of the target.

That was until the spin of Rajendar changed the game, first removing Roca and then drawing Lawrence (76) out of his ground, Ryall on hand to complete a sharp stumping.

Rajendar (3-34) then bowled Ryan Monk and Dorchester never looked back, Belt (2-41) and Mitchem (2-47) taking a brace each to stamp out Sherborne’s victory chances.

The hosts did dig in and deprive Dorchester of full bowling points, though, as they ended 41 runs short of the target with three wickets in hand.

Speaking to Echosport, Belt said: “The boys rallied really well and the youngsters stepped up to the plate, especially in the field.

“Gautham batted really well, I’m pleased for him to get some runs. He’s had some poor decisions and played a few bad shots.

“He bowled really well and it was the best he’s bowled for us on a Saturday, leading as the main spinner without Leggy (Jon Legg).

“He had an amazing game but it was a great team performance.”

On the title race, Belt added: “We didn’t have many chances to take wickets early on but we did restrict them.

“At the end of the day, we went there for just the win. Obviously getting 20 points is the aim but with the side we had a win’s a win.

“(Poole) gained an extra point on us and Wimborne gained one on us. Nothing changes, we need to get two wins and 40 points, hope they slip up and see what happens.”

Elsewhere, Dorchester Seconds lost by 260 runs to Corfe Mullen in County Division Two, while Dorchester's third team lost by 66 runs to Cattistock & Symene Thirds.