CERNE VALLEY 161-5 (20pts) beat PUDDLETOWN 160-8 (5pts) by five wickets

CERNE Valley continued their strong form with a five-wicket victory over Puddletown at Simsay Oval.

Cerne have now moved up into second place, while Puddletown are struggling in ninth after another defeat.

Puddletown were missing a collection of key players and travelled a player short.

They were grateful to number 10 Dave Morris for making 26 not out in their 160-8 from 45 overs, while son James compiled 38.

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Pete Phillips had earlier scored 30 and Devon Derrien 19 as the visitors did at least bat their overs out.

Mike Collinge finished with outstanding figures of 2-12 from nine overs, while Solo Roper took 2-30.

Puddletown put up a game fight with the ball as Cerne did not have things all their own way.

After Cerne breezed to 69-0, the economical Rob Snow (2-12) took two quick wickets, leaving Gary French and Russ Hurford to rebuild.

French eventually perished for 47, caught off Lewis Gower (1-21), before Hurford (37) became one of two victims for Phillips (2-49).

Pearce Mercer took responsibility to lead Cerne’s chase and his 33 not out proved vital alongside 11 from Collinge as the hosts won with only 4.2 overs remaining.

Puddletown Seconds lost by eight wickets to Wimborne Fourths in Division Five.