Dorchester beat Poole Town by six wickets - report

DORCHESTER jumped to the top of the Wessex Internet Dorset Premier League standings with a six-wicket win over Poole Town at Dorchester Rec.

Gautham Rajendar’s men leapfrogged Bere Regis, who could only pick up a losing draw at Sherborne, and now lead the standings by exactly two points on average.

Dorchester showed no signs of a slow adjustment in the first game of the new 100-over format.

As they have done all season, Dorchy showed tremendous faith in their bowling attack and were the only side in Premier One to have won the toss and bowled first.

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Declining the opportunity to bat 55 overs looked to be a good decision as Harry Jones (4-30) quickly reduced Poole to 15-3, inflicting golden ducks upon Lewis Marais and Dan Jackson.

Ben Wright (26) and Richard Armstrong were tasked with rebuilding and did so steadily as Poole set their sights on batting the maximum 55 overs.

Although Wright departed to the spin of Rajendar (1-21), Armstrong was happy to accumulate and take responsibility.

He shared 55 with Jordan Betts (22) but when he fell the Poole lower order had to eke out the runs, Armstrong marshalling the tail superbly.

He ended on 79 not out from 156 balls, Jamie Stewart (3-18) and Simon Mitchem (1-35) bowling tidily as Dorchester restricted the visitors to 195-9.

Chasing 196 from 45 overs, Dorchester had to navigate a wobbly start as Rohan Scott (0) and Jones (9) perished.

Jack Owens (37) and Will Maltby (28) both made starts without kicking on as Poole shared the wickets around.

At 107-4, Dorchy were under pressure but called upon two of their most experienced players to see them home.

Mitchem scored a patient 34 from 67 balls, proving the perfect foil for Dan Belt’s more aggressive 67 from 85 balls, containing three sixes and four boundaries.

The duo paced the chase precisely, reaching the 196 target with five balls to spare as both players remained unbeaten.

Speaking to Echosport after another excellent all-round display, Rajendar praised his team for adapting to quickly to the new format.

He said: “I’m very pleased with the way we played and for the maximum points.

“(It was a) measured chase, yes. There have been suggestions about some of us senior players’ contributions this season so having Belty and Simon out there seemed apt.

“⁠The plan was to get past the score that ensured us the winning draw and then chase it down but yes, I think we understood and adapted quite well.”

Elsewhere, Dorchester Seconds lost by six wickets to Charlton Down in County Division Two.

Dorchester Thirds lost by five wickets to Symene Sports Seconds in Six West, while Dorchester Fourths enjoyed a thrilling tie with Christchurch Thirds in Six East.