COMPTON HOUSE 237-4 (11pts) lost to CATTISTOCK 240-7 (20pts) by three runs

COUNTY Division One champions Cattistock ended their 2019 title-winning season with a narrow three-run victory away to third-placed Compton House.

With a number of key players missing, Cattistock elected to bat first hoping to post a competitive score against a strong Compton House XI.

Oliver Lee (4) was promoted to open but fell early, dismissed by Pat Reynolds (3-54). In the absence of Jon Legg, Martin Langford (68) was promoted to number three where he and opener Billy Wallbridge (65) put on a stand of 149 for the second wicket.

However, runs flowed with the partnership building momentum, Langford being the first to reach his half century. Wallbridge raised his bat shortly after his run out followed Langford’s dismissal with the score at 168-3.

Steve Tucker (16), and Liam Toohill (50no) pushed the score along, with the latter notching his third half century of the campaign and ending the season averaging over 50.

With the score at 240-7 at halfway, Cattistock knew they would have to bowl well to defend what seemed to be a par score.

Despite some early boundaries, Cattistock struck early with Lee (4-26) removing Harper (16) and thanks to a smart over-the-shoulder juggling catch by Oliver Legg, Langford (1-25) claimed the wicket of Kennedy (15). Lee soon removed Giles Reynolds (0) as the score stood at 36-3.

Cattistock veteran Buddy Langford was introduced to the attack and immediately broke a dangerous partnership clean bowling Watts (15) and when Price (15) was caught in the deep off Renier Fourie (2-47), Compton were 112-6.

Hunt (45) and an aggressive 84 from just 46 balls from Pat Reynolds swung the game into Compton’s hands with the score on 184 and both batsman going well.

However, Will Owens was then able to remove Hunt, and Lee then further reduced Compton by dismissing Reynolds, before Fourie held his nerve and had Ramak caught in the deep with the score on 229-9.

However a mighty six from Compton’s number 10 Haynes (7no) brought the home side to just three runs for victory.

But it was not to be, as Lee trapped Jones (0) lbw to seal a fantastic end to the game.

After the game stand in Cattistock captain Jason Bradley said: “It was a fantastic game, great partnership from Langers and Billy, and with a number of players missing to defend what was a par score was a great effort. Olly Lee was outstanding with the ball, and those called upon held their nerve even when the ball was travelling all over the place.”

Bradley added: “Not only was the cricket a pleasure to be part of the spirit between the two sides was a great advert for Dorset cricket, they are a good side and a great bunch of lads and it’s always a great contest.”

After the match, Compton House presented Cattistock with a bottle of champagne and a commemorative cap, Cattistock chairman Martin Langford finished by saying: “We’ve had a great year, to win the league by 45 points says it all. We’ve played some good cricket, everything has just clicked this year and a number of lads have worked really hard on their game over the winter and during training, we are all looking forward to the challenge next year.”