BEAMINSTER 206-5 (20pts) beat DORCHESTER SECONDS 169 (5pts) by 37 runs

BEAMINSTER got back to winning ways in County Division Three at the weekend as Dorchester Seconds suffered their first defeat of the season.

The visitors’ 37-run victory, which came on the back of a narrow loss to Kingston Lacy seven days earlier, also saw them leapfrog the county town side near the top of the table.

On a warm and sunny day at Dorchester Rec it was Beaminster who won the toss and they chose to bat.

Returning batsmen Simon Jones (55) and Chris Park (4) had mixed fortunes.

While the former compiled a classy half-century, the latter was controversially given out caught behind.

Jones stroked the ball around the large outfield and looked comfortable at the crease before losing his footing when being stumped.

Despite not scoring runs freely, Beaminster crucially kept wickets in hand and when Will Everitt (69 not out) and Dan Hillier (33) were together they had licence to accelerate the scoring.

With tensions high in the field, the pair battled stoically and made hay in the final five overs as Beaminster closed on an impressive 206-5 from 45 overs.

In reply, Everitt (3-22) had immediate success as he dismissed Eiron Fitzgerald, Malcolm Stroudley and Pete Diffey, all for single figures.

Adam Herring also continued his excellent form by taking three wickets as Dorchester struggled to 71-5.

However, the impressive Josh Foot (62) played sensibly and mounted a recovery alongside skipper Stuart Beasley (22).

With several chances spilled by the Beaminster fielders the game was in the balance, before Aidey Phillips took a well-judged catch in the deep to dismiss Beasley.

Simon Jones (3-31) took important late wickets as Dorchester fell 37 runs short of their target.

Beaminster’s next match sees them host Sturminster Marshall, while Dorchester travel to Wimborne & Colehill Thirds.

In Division Six last weekend, Beaminster Seconds enjoyed a 75-run win over Witchampton Seconds and sit fourth in the table.

Their next outing this Saturday is away to Poole Town Fourths.