BEAMINSTER 176 (7pts) lost to STALBRIDGE SECONDS 177-7 (20pts) by 3 wickets

AGGRESSION from Stalbridge late on proved decisive as the visitors turned things around to overcome Beaminster at Memorial Field.

After being put in on a lively wicket, Beaminster's top order batsmen struggled against the new ball as both openers and all-rounder Will Everitt were dismissed cheaply early on.

With the score on 33-3, the innings was then rebuilt during a 78-run partnership between Ross Baker (50) and Hugh Rathbone (33) despite the latter needing a runner.

Aidey Phillips (25) continued the momentum with the tail until the last man was bowled off of the final delivery of the innings, with Beaminster closing on a competitive 176.

In reply, Murray Legg (2-38) and Baker both bowled well by extracting bounce and movement off the pitch and after 14 overs Stalbridge crawled to just 31-2 with Legg taking both wickets.

Change bowlers Jack Walklett (2-45) and Aidey Phillips (3-43) then came into the attack and took vital wickets to leave the visitors reeling on 58-6.

However, the game was turned on its head as Stalbridge rallied with a stand of 105 for the seventh wicket.

Four straight forward catches were put down as J Fryer (70 not out) guided his side over the winning line.

BEAMINSTER SECONDS 56 (4pts) lost to PARLEY FIFTHS 57-8 (16pts) by 2 wickets

BEAMINSTER Seconds also suffered a narrow defeat in a low-scoring encounter in County Division Six.

Batting first, no Beaminster batsman managed to break into double figures as the visitors fell to a miserly total of 56 all out.

However, on a day where the ball dominated proceedings, Par-ley only just managed to crawl over the line.

Dave Percy and skipper Justin Gurd were the pick of the Beaminster bowlers, with fig-ures of 4-11 and 3-21 respectively.