DORCHESTER 168-6 (20pts) bt STALBRIDGE 164 (6pts) by four wickets

DORCHESTER claimed a tight four-wicket win over strugglers Stalbridge to continue their Dorset Funeral Plan Premier Division title charge.

Stalbridge belied their league position with a superb spell of bowling at the Rec, which took Dorchester until the 46th over to be able to chase down, and claim a a big 20 points.

The visitors batted first and came quickly unstuck against opening bowler Dan Belt, who rattled off three early wickets to leave the visitors on 23-3.

However, this brought the partnership of Seb Carty (50) and George Coleman (14) to the crease, who pushed the score up to 81 before the latter was caught by Will Caldwell from a Jack Walklett delivery.

At this point, wickets began to tumble, as Walklett and Josh Richardson combined to reduce Stalbridge to 91-7.

Matt Bradberry (29) and Matt Coleman (17) put in a fine stand with the visitors on 112-9, pushing the score to 164 before Bradberry was bowled by county town captain James Dunham.

In reply, Dorchester faced a total capable of being chased down, but were met with fine resistance from the Stalbridge bowlers.

Will Caldwell (1) fell early on, caught by Coleman from a Stuart Sweatman delivery, with just eight runs on the board.

Nick Roe then came to the crease and added 14 runs before he too was dismissed, bowled by Bradberry.

Simon Mitchem (9) was caught by Neil Ford from a Howard Batten delivery, with Dorchester having pushed on to 66-3.

However, this brought James Caldwell to the crease, who helped Dorchester with a fine unbeaten 55 to put the total within reach.

Dorchester would find it tougher going at the other end however, with Jim Ryall (30) bowled by Simon Sweatman with Dorchester on 78-4, baring down on the halfway point.

Jamie Barrett (11) and Caldwell pushed the score on by 38 runs to 116 to put the target firmly in sight, before the former was dismissed, and Belt (11) the next to fall at 134-6.

Mike Peak then came to the crease and pushed Dorchester over the line with Caldwell, as their side claimed a fine 20-point victory.

After the match, Dorchester captain James Dunham told Echosport it was a very good game all round.

He said: “It was another brilliant game played in the right spirit by both teams.

“We bowled first and had three early wickets. I thought Dan Belt opened the bowling again very well, took three big wickets at the start.

“Jack Walklett bowled very well, we got them out for 164 which we thought was about par, we were confident of chasing, James Caldwell batted very well, got 55 not out and held the innings together very well.”

The table-toppers next face a trip to Christchurch on Saturday.