CHARLTON DOWN 192 (8pts) lost to PUDDLETOWN 239-8 (20pts) by 47 runs

PUDDLETOWN secured back-to-back wins, beating previously in-form Charlton Down by 47 runs in County Division Two.

Down had been on a three-match winning streak and in Nick Voss possessed one of the division’s most in-form batters.

But, after losing the toss and watching Puddletown bat first, Voss had to watch the Kingfishers’ batters pile on the runs instead.

Puddletown built an unbeaten century stand as Adam Barrett (30) and Pete Phillips continued their own excellent form with the willow.

READ MORE: Puddletown beat Broadstone Seconds by seven wickets

Phillips passed fifty but Barrett was the first man out with the score on 109 as Voss (3-47) disturbed his timbers.

Phillips remained in cruise control and was happy to share the run-scoring as Michael Crabb belted 48 from 37 balls, including eight fours and a six.

There began the Charlton Down fightback as 189-1 became 236-7 with Mark Homewood (3-43) joining Voss amongst the wickets.

Phillips was consequently starved of runs at the death but did reach 98 on the penultimate ball before selflessly scampering through for a single, leaving himself stranded on 99 as James Morris (2) was dismissed with the final ball.

Setting the hosts 240 to win, Puddletown knew the key wicket would be Voss and strike bowler Adam Weir (3-39) bowled him for nine off six balls.

Puddletown’s Dave Morris (1-38) then removed Down skipper Jack Eveleigh (20) as the hosts were checked again at 49-2.

Three Down batters were then guilty of making starts and failing to kick on as Nitin Joshi (22), Ashley Hayes (21) and Lewis Harrington (28) perished in the twenties.

Of the Puddletown bowlers, Steve Chaldecott (3-43) impressed midway through the innings before Weir returned to halt the spirited resistance of Danny Stephens (24) and Simon Darcy (18no).

Puddletown eventually bowled Down out for 192 to seal an impressive victory over their near neighbours, moving themselves up into seventh in the table.

Puddletown skipper Barrett told Echosport: “Pete’s batted really well, he’s a great player.

“He did deserve a century but with two balls left he has run a single and he said that the run was there so he had to take it.

“It just epitomises that he is a real team player. It’s a shame he didn’t get over the line but it was a big 20 points against a good side.

“That’s two wins in a row now, hopefully we can get the season up and running with a good run.”

Barrett added: “We knew before the game that Vossy was the big wicket and Weir’s come in and cleaned him up.

“Once we got him out, we knew we were on top. Fair play to Snowy, Chaldy and James, they’ve all bowled really well and it was a complete team performance.”

Puddletown Seconds lost to Lytchett by six wickets in Division Five.