BRIDPORT 266 (20pts) beat WEYMOUTH LONGSHOTS 138 (8pts) by 128 runs

BRIDPORT extended their unbeaten run to four games by thrashing the Longshots with Duane Gay falling just short of a century at Redlands.

After winning the toss and batting first on a sun-drenched afternoon, Bridport dominated the Longshots’ bowling attack, racking up an imposing score against the Weymouth side.

Mark Smith got off to a flyer before he flashed at one too many and was caught behind for 18.

Typically explosive in his stroke play, Rod Gay hit 35 before missing a delivery that took out his middle stump.

Captain Liam Toohill followed soon after to leave Bridport wobbling slightly on 70-3.

But Will Meech strode to the crease and steadied the ship with some out of character defensive shots while Duane Gay was batting well at the other end.

He knocked the ball into the gaps, ran well and put the bad ball away for four or six.

Meech fell with the score on 91 and this was where the innings’ defining partnership began as Alex Lee joined Duane Gay in the middle.

The former was quite content in knocking the single and getting his partner on strike and this tactic worked as they put on 81.

Once Alex departed for 10, Jamie Dollman was also able to give the strike to Duane while he was in full flow.

Dollman went for eight, then, unfortunately, Duane Gay followed in the next over, stumped for an excellent 96.

The innings wasn’t over yet and some big hitting from Ollie Lee and Tristan Gale boosted the total, Ollie Lee hitting a rapid 42 including eight fours – two of which were left handed.

The Longshots’ innings got off to an eventful start when, after Ollie Lee picked up the first wicket, Bridport managed to drop the two men four times each.

“We really needed to get a grip on the game,” said Toohill. “Rod Gay came into the attack and got two wickets in two balls, including the dangerous opener Trevitt for 64, which majorly boosted morale.

“We knew we just had to get their number three out and we were right back in the game.

“He had already taken me for 12 off the first four balls of my over before trying to scoop me over his head.

“The ball looped towards Jamie Dollman at gully and he dived full stretch to his right and caught it one-handed an inch from the ground.

“This took them to 131-4 and we only needed four more wickets to win.

“They collapsed to 138 all out, Rod taking four, me three and Calvin Lewis and myself holding onto difficult catches.

“This 20 points was massive for us. There is a little gap opening up behind us in the table now and if we can get another 20 points on Saturday at home to Christ-church Seconds then that will be a big help.

“Rod, Duane, Ollie and everyone in between batted brilliantly, the comeback we had in the field was excellent. We do need to work on our catching though.”