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On the front foot: Dave Herbert failed with the bat but claimed four vital wickets in Bridport's first league victory of 2008

PAVILION SPORTS 156-9 (9pts) lost to BRIDPORT 181 (19pts) by 25 runs.

CHRIS Backhouse heralded his side's "massive improvement" as Bridport recorded their first win of 2008 on Saturday at Pavilion Sports to kick-start their campaign in Dorset Funeral Plan League Division Two.

Following their narrow defeat to Hamworthy Recreation in the season opener last weekend, victory was imperative and skipper Backhouse was delighted with his players' response in the sultry conditions.

"It was a massive improvement and all areas of our game were better - our batting, bowling and fielding," he said.

"We didn't play too well last week but we've put it right with an excellent team performance.

He added: "They are one of the strongest teams in the division so to get a win here is very satisfying."

With runs at a premium on the overgrown Slades Farm outfield, the visitors were put in after losing the toss and made a circumspect start.

Openers Sean Fitzgerald and Sam Challis put on 38 for the first wicket before the latter was bowled by Matt Tatchell (1-37), and when Dave Herbert and Fitzgerald fell in quick succession, Bridport were struggling at 67-3.

But keeper Fred Everitt (34) and Sam Good (57) shared a crucial 90-run partnership that lifted the innings towards a defendable target.

However, the visitors collapsed from 157-3 to 181 all out with not one of the bottom five batsmen able to claw his way to double figures, largely due to Mark Beale's excellent analysis of 4-15 from six overs, which evened up the contest at tea.

In reply, Andrew Sherring (1-48) claimed an early victim with the new ball before an important stand between opener Tatchell (58) and Mike Edwards (42) threatened to take the game to the wire.

Needing fewer than 100 for victory with nine wickets in the shed, Pavilion Sports were manufacturing a winning position, but a flurry of wickets, instigated by Herbert's destructive spell of 4-27, wrestled the advantage back towards the visitors.

And once Mark Tozer had comically run out Craig New, the hosts subsided and were unable to challenge Bridport's target, as accurate bowling ensured they slumped to a 25-run defeat.

9:46am Monday 12th May 2008

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