BEAMINSTER 237-9 (20pts) beat HAMWORTHY RECREATION II 135 (6pts)

BEAMINSTER clinched their second successive victory after a hefty 102-run win at home to Hamworthy Recreation Seconds in County Division Three.

An excellent 89-run partnership for the second wicket between captain Ross Baker (91) and Adam Herring (21) allowed Beaminster’s middle and lower order to hit out later in the innings.

Lewis Keenan hit two huge maximums in his cameo of 44, while Nick Hollely (23), David Persey (20) and Francis Medley (15) also contributed to a competitive total of 237-9 from 45 overs.

Of the away bowlers, only Stuart Peters (5-53 from seven overs) troubled the hosts as Beaminster set a victory target of 238 – in excess of five runs an over.

In reply, Beaminster worked their opponents down to 53-5 and, bar late resistance from Peters (28no), had to overcome few obstacles on their way to victory.

Earlier, Beaminster won the toss, batted and had to battle back from losing Leo Gurd (3) to Bryan Kelly (1-21) as Baker and Herring formed a pivotal stand to reach 108-1.

But when Herring fell, Baker followed nine runs short of century, sparking a mini collapse from 141-2 to 146-5 as Daniel Spiller and Justin Gurd were removed by Peters, both making ducks.

It was left to Hollely, who smashed four boundaries in his quickfire 23, and Keenan to rebuild the innings, with help from Persey and Medley.

Beaminster compiled 127 runs from the final 15 overs to take them to 237-9, a total Hamworthy never looked like reaching.

Hollely (2-16) removed both openers in his spell, while Will Moss (2-15) also claimed a brace as the visitors were reduced to 46-4, which became 53-5 when Baker (1-23) trapped Joe O’Brien (1) lbw.

Greg Regan (38) was unmoved by the flurry of wickets around him, hitting one six and three boundaries in a confident innings, but when Keenan (1-11) ousted Hamworthy’s mainstay the away side were on the verge of defeat at 80-7.

A 43-run stand between Robert Holness (23) and Peters proved too little too late as Beaminster wrapped up the win with 14.5 overs remaining.

Seventh-placed Beaminster next face Wimborne & Colehill Thirds at home on Saturday.

n Uplyme and Lyme Regis claimed their second win of the season with a 99-run home success over Clyst St George.

Liam Gorfine scored 72 as Uplyme posted 213, before Steve Batey (5-20) and Gorfine (3-39) helped oust the visitors for 114.