BEAMINSTER 120 (2pts) lost to CERNE VALLEY 121-3 (20pts) by 7 wickets

BEAMINSTER’S tough campaign continued at the Memorial Playing Field as they suffered another loss in County Division Two, this time at the hands of league leaders Cerne Valley.

When the two sides arrived they were greeted by heavy thunderstorms which put the game in serious jeopardy.

Although the wicket was unquestionably wet, after considering the improved forecast both captains agreed to wait for as long as possible to allow the pitch to dry out.

An hour after the scheduled start, the toss was finally won by in-form Cerne, who put hosts Beaminster in on what proved to be a challenging surface.

In a contest reduced to 35 overs a side, Beaminster openers Fred Everitt (19) and Jack Walklett (25) played with determination to negotiate the early Cerne onslaught.

However, Everitt’s dismissal sparked a collapse and Beaminster fell from a steady platform of 50-0 to 66-5.

Ross Baker (47) was the only other batsman to offer any more resistance. He smashed a succession of boundaries while wickets tumbled at the other end.

With overs and wickets running out, Baker was the last man to be dismissed attempting to hit another boundary. Beaminster were all out for 121.

In reply, Walklett was the first bowler to strike when Rich Runyard took a well judged catch on the boundary with the score on 29.

Baker then took a wicket after another fine catch by Adam Herring at slip, and the home team sensed a slim opportunity to cause an upset.

Only one further wicket was taken by off-spinner Mark Barber, as Cerne won comfortably by seven wickets with nine overs to spare.

Cerne’s Nick Kellaway continued his remarkable form with the bat, guiding the league leaders home in the 27th over with an unbeaten 59 after playing positively and seizing on any loose deliveries.

BEAMINSTER SECONDS 79 (3pts) lost to STALBRIDGE THIRDS 81-4 (19pts) by 6 wickets

IT was a father and son show at Stalbridge for Beaminster Seconds on Saturday, but the Nottley family could not prevent their side going down to a defeat.

In a game reduced to 32 overs for each side due to rain, Scott Nottley, playing his first game for Beaminster, top-scored for the visitors with 18 as they stuttered their way to 79 all out batting first.

It was then the turn of Scott’s son Jordan, part of the club’s under-13 set up, to produce with the ball, claiming 3-28 from his six overs.

Captain Justin Gurd also managed to snare one wicket, but the home side cruised to victory on a damp surface with relative ease.

Gurd said: “We had a lot of young players in the squad, as many as five or six, and they all performed really well in stepping up to men’s cricket.

“Hopefully we can get a result when we play Marnhull Seconds at home this Saturday.”