WAREHAM 64 (1pt) lost to BEAMINSTER 65-2 (19pts) by 8 wickets

A FRANCIS Medley hat-trick was the standout moment in Beaminster’s eight-wicket romp against winless Wareham in County Division Three last Saturday.

Medley took wickets with the last two balls of his second over before returning to claim a third successive dismissal at the start of his next one.

That reduced Wareham to 37-4 and in no time the hosts, who only had nine men, were all out in 23.3 overs.

Beaminster took less than 10 overs to knock off the runs required for the loss of two wickets.

The visitors’ success saw them secure back-to-back wins for the second time this season.

And after beating Wareham on the opening weekend of the campaign, the triumph gave Beaminster their first league double of the summer.

Having won the toss, the Beaminster attack applied pressure but found stubborn resistance from the Wareham openers.

Despite the opening bowlers beating the outside edge on numerous occasions, 31 runs were scored before Will Everitt took the first wicket, M Truman being caught by Rich Runyard for 16.

Medley was then introduced to the attack and in his second and start of his third over he took a fantastic hat-trick.

Two simple catches were taken by Everitt and Hugh Rathbone before a perfect Yorker removed S Harvey.

Adam Herring came on to bowl following a fine opening spell from Everitt (3-20) and he also took wickets (3-5) to mop up the tail.

After a brief turnaround, Runyard (24 not out) looked in determined mood as he anchored the reply.

Although two wickets were lost, Rathbone for four and Dave Persey for 22, Beaminster had few alarms in reaching their target.

Runyard and Ross Baker (10 not out) were there at the end to see the visitors comfortably over the line.

With five wins from their 10 games to date, Beaminster sit fifth in Division Three, 11 points behind Dorchester Seconds and just one ahead of Kingston Lacy.

They will be looking for another double this Saturday when Wimborne & Colehill Thirds are the visitors to West Dorset.

Beaminster won the reverse fixture in May by 56 runs and could inflict a third consecutive defeat on their opponents, who lost to Weymouth Seconds at the weekend.

Elsewhere last Saturday, Beaminster Seconds won for the third time this season thanks to a three-wicket defeat of Blandford Thirds.

The second XI also have a winnable match next with a trip to bottom side Wimborne & Colehill Fourths.