BEAMINSTER 121 (5pts) lost to CHRISTCHURCH 122-5 (19pts) by 5 wickets

BEAMINSTER hit the 100-point mark for the season in Division Two, but they were still on the wrong end of a five-wicket reverse against Christchurch.

Home skipper Will Everitt was understandably disappointed to see his team suffer a third successive defeat, however, with their opponents having only lost once this term it was always going to be tough.

Only Everitt (22) and Dean Hyett (29) troubled the Christ-church bowling attack and when they went there was something of a collapse as Beaminster were bowled out for 121 in less than 30 overs.

Jack Walklett and Ross Baker took two wickets apiece in the Christchurch reply but the visitors reached their victory target with time to spare.

“It’s always disappointing to be beaten so comprehensively but it was one of those days where we were never really in contention,” said Everitt.

“They are quite a strong side and had a couple of new players that didn’t play against us at the start of the season.

“Simon Jones and Fred Everitt opened the batting and we were hoping they would provide our main firepower.

“Other than them we didn’t have too much strength in depth so for them to go quite cheaply was disappointing.

“I had a small partnership with Dean Hyett and with nothing to lose he played quite aggressively and rather than trying to hang around at the crease he went after their change bowlers and scored some runs.

“But we both got out trying to hit the ball out of the ground and it was quite frustrating we couldn’t make the score a more competitive one.

“It wasn’t all doom and gloom and there were some positives to take – we fielded well and took the wickets of all their top order batsmen.

“We were left to think what might have been because if we had made 180-200 it could have been a much closer game.”

He added: “You are never too disappointed to lose to sides at the top of the league, it’s when you don’t beat the teams around you when you know you should that is frustrating.”

In Division Six, Beaminster Seconds suffered a 121-run defeat at Puddletown. The hosts made 281-5 and then limited Beaminster to 160-9.

Next up for the firsts is a trip to Poole Town Seconds while Bere Regis Seconds await Beaminster’s second string.