SWANAGE 145 (5pts) lost to CATTISTOCK 258-6 (20pts) by 113 runs

RENIER Fourie starred with both the bat and the ball as Cattistock took a huge 113-run victory over Swanage in County Division One.

Cattistock lost the toss and were put into bat first, Billy Wallbridge (4) falling early on.

Jason Bradley (25) and Jon Legg partnered up to steady the ship and see off the new ball. The score had progressed to 51 when Bradley fell to the spin of Steve Kent (1-45), and Liam Toohill (13) soon returned to the pavilion and Steve Tucker joined Legg at the crease.

At 84-3 in the 22nd over, Legg and Tucker needed to proceed with caution to avoid a collapse and help set up a competitive total.

Legg eventually fell after 47 from 81 balls, Ben Golledge (9) was unable to hang around long and Renier Fourie came to the crease.

From here on the run rate started to increase. Tucker hit two large maximums and excellent running between the wickets alongside Fourie saw the score up towards 200.

Tucker (47) was dismissed but Fourie then took up the mantle and kicked on, and a flurry of boundaries followed.

Along with Martin Langford, who hit a rapid 26 not out, Fourie added 90 runs in the last 10 overs and 30 of those runs came off the last two overs to ensure Cattistock went into the break with the momentum.

Fourie finished with 59 not out from 34 balls with 11 boundaries.

Langford took off the wicketkeeping gloves in order to take the new ball, a move that paid off. Along with Bradley Damen, he put the home team batsmen under pressure from the off.

Langford (1-20) picked up the first wicket of John Lewis (10), held low down at slip by Golledge.

Damen (2-10) struck next, having Ollie Shrubsole (1) caught one-handed by Tucker behind the stumps and then Simon Goldsack (5) held at second slip.

The first change bowlers continued the pressure building and, backed up by some great fielding, the run rate slowed.

Jon Legg (2-32), Toohill (1-23) and Ollie Legg (1-33) all picked up wickets but it was Fourie (3-21) who dismissed the middle order with an excellent spell of fast bowling.

Ryan Norman (9) was the last man out, caught superbly down the leg side by Tucker off a fast in-swinging delivery.

Captain Damen said: ‘It was really pleasing to see the depth in our batting line-up, we lost regular wickets but Jon, Steve and Renier played the situation well and we were still able to get ourselves into a good position to launch from in the last 10 overs.”

“It was some superb hitting from Renier in those closing overs and it gave us great momentum going into the second half.

“We have taken early wickets in our last two games but then let the opposition rebuild.

“This time we got on top and stayed there, the bowlers bowled really well to restrict Swanage and they were backed up by some great fielding.

“That spell of bowling from Renier was excellent and finished off the game nicely. He had a superb game with bat and ball, myself and the boys are really pleased for him.”

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