BEAMINSTER 243 (17pts) beat WIMBORNE & COLEHILL III 180-5 (9pts) by 63 runs

BEAMINSTER secured their third win in a row with a 63-run home success over Wimborne & Colehill Thirds in County Division Three.

After winning the toss and deciding to bat, Beaminster’s opening pair of Chris Park (97) and Ross Baker (29) went on the attack and shared an entertaining 100-run partnership in just 16 overs.

Baker was removed by Adrian Loader (2-43) but Park continued the onslaught, scoring 16 boundaries, before losing his wicket agonisingly close to a deserved century.

Lewis Keenan continued his good form with a quick-fire innings of 42 but became one of two victims for opening bowler Aaron Drew (2-46).

A score in excess of 300 looked possible for the hosts before the middle order collapsed. From 186-3 the home side subsided to a disappointing 243 all out as visiting skipper Tim Bartlett took 5-27.

Only Hugh Rathbone (15) and Adrian Phillips (11) reached double figures in the second half of the innings.

In contrast to Beaminster, Wimborne & Colehill’s reply started slowly as the top order played cautiously.

But the Minstermen’s steady stand of 31 was ended by first change bowler Ross Baker, who was the pick of the attack with 3-17 runs from his nine overs.

The Beaminster skipper ousted Matt Pengelley (3), Sam Scott (4) and Charles Pilato (8) as Wimborne stumbled to 60-3.

Opening batsman Kevin Hall (43) proved obdurate but when he was dismissed just short of his 50 by Keenan (1-21) the away side found themselves on 83-4.

Bartlett (35no) and Drew (51) blasted 80 runs in a swift fifth-wicket partnership but when Drew was caught and bowled by Cameron Lucas (1-26) the visitors still needed 81 runs with little time remaining.

With Beaminster’s total never looking in danger, Wimborne closed on 180-5 from 45 overs in the face of a good fielding display by the hosts, which saw three catches taken by Park, William Moss and Leo Gurd.

Beaminster’s third win in succession puts them seventh in the table, seven points behind Kingston Lacy in sixth and a further two behind Dorset Indian Tigers in fifth.

Behind them, Hamworthy Recreation Seconds are 20 points adrift in eighth, while Wimborne’s ninth defeat in nine matches keeps them in ninth place.

Bottom side Poole Town Thirds travel to Beaminster on Saturday.