Dorchester beat Sherborne by six wickets

DORCHESTER widened their lead at the top of Wessex Internet Dorset Premier League with a six-wicket win over Sherborne at the Terrace.

In similar fashion to their first 100-over game against Poole, Dorchester paced their chase perfectly and without stress.

They were given a 210 target from 47 overs after dismissing Sherborne for 209, the hosts using up exactly 53 overs.

And half-centuries for Jamie Barrett and Dan Belt saw Dorchy home, extending to 3.5 their lead on average points from reigning champions Wimborne, who beat Bere to move second.

READ MORE: Dorchester beat Poole Town by six wickets - report

Dorchester set up the victory with a typically robust bowling performance, although the visitors did give away an unusually high total of 40 extras.

Belt (2-28) removed openers Ralph Dunne (0) and Mark Roca (18) to leave Sherborne on 37-2.

The hosts were in no rush, however, and patiently rebuilt thanks to Will Tatham (30) and Ryan Buckley (55).

Tim Durston also struck 45 but Jamie Stewart (4-34) and Simon Mitchem (4-47) both impressed with the ball to wipe out the remainder of Sherborne’s batters.

With Sherborne batting deep to deprive Dorchester of time to chase, a good start was needed.

However, while Barrett was fluent from the off, he witnessed wickets fall around him. Durston (2-45) returned Sherborne’s best figures as Dorchester were checked at 100-3.

Skipper Gautham Rajendar then struck 29 of the 40-run stand for the fourth wicket before he was castled by Paul Hancock (1-23).

But the big acceleration came from Belt, who proved the perfect foil for Barrett.

The duo shared an unbroken 112 for the fifth wicket and both passed 50 as Sherborne could find no answer to their partnership.

Even with a handful of overs remaining, Dorchester seemed in little bother as Barrett (65no) and Belt (69no) guided the away side to a second-straight victory in the 100-over format.

Speaking to Echosport, Rajendar said: “We knew it would be a task when we asked them to bat first but yes, we managed to stay ahead of the run rate chasing over 200.

“A couple of us pitched in but both Belter and Jamie saw it through in the end.

“⁠I’d like to think of it as a good mix seeing as our bowlers needed to be very tidy for 25-30 overs to restrict them after a steady start.

“Regardless, I believe we’ve got the depth to adapt to any game situation and yes, the batters have impressed.

“It’s no different to previous years, we’re just enjoying our cricket and playing as a group on Saturdays.”

Dorchester Seconds beat Bere Regis Seconds by 13 runs, Dorchester Thirds lost by 137 runs to Buckhorn Weston and Dorchester Fourths were defeated by five wickets at Verwood Thirds.