BROADWINDSOR 173-4 beat QUEEN CAMEL 144 by 29 runs

BROADWINDSOR’S final Readers Mid-Wessex League Division One game of the season saw them retain their title with a 29-run win over Queen Camel.

The Villagers needed just four points and their visitors a hefty 17 to seal the crown before the start of play.

And on a green wicket, Camel bowled first and had the defending champions in all sorts of trouble at 39-4 after 14 overs.

Opening bowler S Ball bowled eight overs for only six runs including five maidens leaving his new ball partner G Clothier to take 3-23 from his allotted eight overs.

With Broadwindsor firmly on the ropes, in came Dan Hillier and Rich Runyard to try and wrestle back some momentum. They did so in some style putting on an unbeaten 134-run stand.

Both players played the situation perfectly, defending but rotating the strike when possible while punishing any loose deliveries.

Hillier contributed to finish 66 not out which included six fours and four sixes, and Runyard produced a mature knock of 50 not out, hitting six boundaries in the process.

The two got Broadwindsor up to 173-4 and subsequently ensured that the Villagers gained the points needed to secure the league title for the second season running.

Complacency crept in a little as Broadwind-sor set about defending their score and Camel were going well on 35-0 from the first five overs.

But the introduction of Jack Walklett turned the game as he got the breakthrough wicket and claimed 2-18 from eight overs.

Broadwindsor then sensed victory and the bowlers duly obliged.

Ade Phillips took 3-29, Runyard 2-39 and Johnson 2-8, but it was the wicket of P Walton for 68 claimed by Murray Legg that did the damage.

And it was Legg who caught a skier at mid-off that won the match and sparked wild celebrations as Broadwindsor won by 29 runs and won the league for the second successive season.