Cattistock & Symene in narrow Wimborne loss

CATTISTOCK & Symene narrowly missed out on losing bonus points as Wimborne took a slender 28-run victory in the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League.

The Foxes won the toss and bowled first on a damp day but the Minstermen made a steady start, opening bowlers Bradley Damen and Sam Baker bowling well without reward.

That was before Liam Toohill (1-34) made the breakthrough, finding the edge of Ben Bridgen (23) with the score on 71.

The home team continued to build up to the drinks break but Billy Wallbridge (2-39) struck twice to remove Colin Randall (53) and Lewis Freak (21).

Mark House continued to pick up runs and found support from the middle order despite Bradley Mullins (1-50) bowling James Miller (10).

READ MORE: Foxes seal emphatic 20 points

House closed in on his century but was cruelly denied in the final over, Toohill running him out for an 81-ball 99 with a direct hit as the hosts closed on 253-5.

Wes Lewis, on his first-team debut, opened the batting with Wallbridge but was the first to fall to Joe Welch (3-47).

Wallbridge held firm and along with Ben Golledge (10) and then Toohill (20) got the Foxes off to a solid start. When Toohill fell the score was 70-3 and there was some wet weather around which threatened the continuation of the match.

Wallbridge found support from Baker (25) and passed his 50, striking seven fours.

The duo’s partnership had risen to 59 when Baker was bowled by Freak (3-31) before Wallbridge (57) and Steve Tucker (3) followed him back to the pavilion as the Foxes wobbled.

Captain Damen then came to the crease and led the charge, although with Mullins they mounted a chase for the target.

Both ran well and struck the ball to the boundary as the Foxes passed 200 for the first time this season.

Damen (32) was stumped having hit four boundaries and a six with the score on 217 as the visitors began to run out of overs.

Mullins was left 20 not out as they finished on 225 all out, just shy of three three bonus batting points.

Damen said: “This was our best performance of the season by far.

“We bowled well but some chances didn’t go to hand and they probably got 20-odd more than they should’ve.

“With the bat we were able to put partnerships together which was key, Billy batted well and we were able to keep ourselves in the game until the last couple overs.

“It was a shame to fall just short but there are still a lot of positives to take from the game.”

ROYAL CHALLENGERS SPORTS 130 (8pts) lost to CATTISTOCK & SYMENE II 218 (20pts) by 88 runs

CATTISTOCK & Symene Seconds moved to the top of County Division Four after an 88-run win over Royal Challengers Sports.

Sam Good’s men batted first, Luke King and Reuben Kingston looking solid until the former was bowled for 18.

Kingston was joined by Leo Gurd (22) and continued his good start until he was trapped leg before for 34.

New man Toby Hall hit a six into the forest and was then dismissed for 11 but Harry Angel then smashed a dazzling half-century in less than 30 balls, sending the ball to all parts of the ground as the score edged up towards 200.

Angel eventually perished for 54 to Jagatheesh Manon (4-24) before George Wyrill (0) fell for a golden duck.

However, useful knocks from Good (16), Robin Jones (11), Joe Etherington (14no) and Ethan Robertson (9) saw the visitors up to 218 all out.

Wyrill and Robertson (2-23) opened the bowling and had the hosts three down in as many overs, they then reduced them further to 16-4 as Wyrill got the ball to swing in the overcast conditions.

The outstanding Wyrill completed his five-wicket haul before rain forced the players off with the Foxes well on top.

After the delay, the hosts went on the counter attack, with Tyson Luis smashing a superb 51.

Etherington (0-49) bowled well but with the batters chancing their arm the ball flew to the boundary.

Jones (3-23) then stepped up and took three quick wickets to secure the victory and the 20 points.

Good said: “Everyone chipped in with the bat again but Reuben at the top and Harry in the middle were excellent.

“They (Royal Challengers) have hit some high scores this season so we wanted to take some early wickets, George and Ethan were excellent up top, George really deserved his five wickets.

“Jonesey did well coming on to halt their attack and pick up those final wickets. We’ve managed to take top spot now but points are still tight so we want to keep this run going.”

CATTISTOCK & SYMENE III 136-6 (20pts) beat BLANDFORD II 135 (6pts) by four wickets

THE Foxes’ third team collected their first win of the County Division Five North & West season with a four-wicket success over Blandford Seconds.

Cattistock fielded first, opening bowlers Ollie James (2-17) and Bradley Wilkinson (1-19) bowling with good control and accuracy, both striking in their first over to reduce the visitors to 11-2.

Damian Barnard then came into the attack and bowled a wicket maiden, a further wicket from James taking the hosts to 47-4.

Further scalps for Graham Bartlett (1-1), who accounted for Adam Wates (47) just short of his 50, and George Crabb (1-5) pegged Blandford back further but Barnard completed his five-wicket haul as the North Dorset side were bowled out for 135.

Lloyd Cleal (8) fell early in the hosts’ chase but Justin Gurd was quickly into his stride and found solid support in Bradley Wilkinson.

Gurd struck nine boundaries on his way to 50, notching up 54 before being dismissed.

At the other end, Wilkinson held firm as wickets tumbled around him, Bob Scott taking 2-20. He eventually found support from his captain and saw the side home to victory, Wilkinson finishing 30 not out alongside his captain who was unbeaten on 17.

Bartlett said: “This was a brilliant performance from the team and they fully deserved this victory.

“Brad and Ollie bowled well with the new ball and Damien did great again. Justin batted superbly and Brad showed great maturity in his innings to help see us home.”