BEAMINSTER 100 (5pts) lost to KINGSTON LACY 101-9 (17pts) by one wicket

BEAMINSTER were narrowly beaten at the Memorial Playing Field as visitors Kingston Lacy scraped over the line to victory in what was a thrilling County Division Three contest.

In a game dominated by the bowlers, Beaminster were put into bat and struggled throughout their innings.

After losing two early wickets, opener Richard Runyard (34) and Will Everitt (28) shared a 53-run partnership which proved to be vital for the home side to get to three figures.

Runyard continued his early season form but, when he tried to accelerate the scoring he was caught, sparking a huge collapse for the hosts.

From ticking along fairly well at 75-3, Beaminster capitulated to just 100 all out with a number of poor dismissals coming in the middle order.

And although the batting conditions were not ideal, the Beaminster batting showed a lack of application and character at times.

The score of 100 runs was at least 50 runs short of a par score at the Memorial Playing Field.

With the ball, Beaminster started aggressively with opening bowlers Ross Baker and Everitt bowling full and straight, putting a good amount of pressure on the Kingston Lacy batsmen.

Wickets fell regularly throughout the reply and were shared between Baker (2-16) Everitt (1-16) and first change bowler Adam Herring, who continued his excellent form with four wickets in the innings to set up a nail-biting finale.

When Aidey Phillips took the ninth wicket with the score on 99, all results were possible before the last-wicket pair eventually managed to scramble a single to win the game in the 24th over.

The defeat, Beaminster’s first of the campaign, ends a run of back-to-back wins and puts them fourth in the Division Three table on 44 points.

They currently trail Stalbridge Seconds, Dorchester Seconds and leaders Ashmore, who have recorded a maximum haul from their opening three fixtures.

There was better news for Beaminster Seconds in County Division Six as they reached 203-6 to overcome Parley Fifths’ total of 201-6 and triumph by four wickets.

The victory was their first league win of the campaign.