BRIDPORT 263-9 (20pts) beat CHRISTCHURCH SECONDS 60 (4pts) by 203 runs

A RAMPANT Bridport tore through Christchurch to record an emphatic 203-run win in Division Four.

What makes their victory even more impressive is that their opponents sit just one place behind them in the table in third.

The hosts were on fire in all departments, carting the Christ-church bowling around the Brewery Fields, with big contributions from opener Rod Gay (73) and captain Liam Toohill (86).

They put on 166 for the second wicket and a couple of other useful knocks from the middle order took Bridport to 263-9.

In reply, the visitors had no answer to the pace of Lee and Toohill, both men finishing with five-wicket hauls, and they were all out for just 60 in 16 overs.

“I won the toss and batting first was the obvious option on a hot day,” said Toohill. “We lost our first wicket very early on and this brought me out to the middle to bat with Rod.

“The pitch was lovely to bat on and with the bowling being a bit erratic it allowed us to free our arms. We were scoring at a good rate and I brought up my 50 just before drinks and at that point we were 87-1. Rod got to his 50 shortly after and he took the lead from there, hitting boundaries all around the ground as we took our partnership past 100.

“We got the score to 175 before Rod was bowled for 73 and I followed for 86 runs. We still had wickets in hand so 300 should have been our target.

“Our middle order wobbled but everybody made small contributions and our last pair did well to keep their bowlers out.

“As always, it was key to take early wickets and Alex took one in the first over and then I followed that in the fourth to send their captain back to the pavilion.

“From this point, me and Alex took regular wickets and Alex was first to complete his five-wicket haul and then I wrapped up the game by having a sharp catch taken at slip by the returning Rob Condliffe.

“With the way the first innings dragged on the batsmen did well to keep their concentration in the heat.

“I thought 263 was a good total to defend although it did look like we would get 300 at one point.

“The way we wrapped up the game was excellent and 20 points gives us a 33-point cushion in second.”

It’s Poole Town Thirds away for Bridport on Saturday.