BEAMINSTER 52 (4pts) lost to STALBRIDGE 266-9 (20pts) by 214 runs

BEAMINSTER were skittled for 52 as Stalbridge earned a giant 214-run victory at the Memorial Ground.

Ross Baker’s men are still winless in County Division One – although they were never in the hunt against a quality former Premier League side.

Stuart Sweatman proved Stalbridge’s star asset, piling on 103 before being bowled by James Edmunds (2-56).

James Lewis added 62 and George Coleman weighed in with 34 as Stalbridge closed on 266-9, Baker the pick of the home bowlers with 2-40.

In reply, Beaminster’s top order was decimated as Sweatman claimed extraordinary figures of 3-6 from eight overs.

Left-arm unorthodox spinner Andy Dike took 3-13 as only Edmunds (13) and the extras column (17) reached double figures.

READ MORE: Beaminster edged out at Portland

Baker said: “Stalbridge played really well, we were under strength and it was very one-sided unfortunately.

“We dropped (Sweatman) when he was on about 40 and he made us pay. He’s a class act, a very good batsman and then his bowling was outstanding as well.

“We lost early wickets and never recovered. We had quite a weak side out and capitulated – quite a bad day at the office.”

Beaminster now host Hamworthy on Saturday (1.30pm) in search of their first victory.

Baker said: “Hopefully we’ll be competitive at least. We’ve got three key players back so there’s a bit more experience and depth in our line-up.

“I don’t know much about Hamworthy but they’ve been a little up and down.

“They’ve been dismissed for a few low totals so we’ll look to bowl well against them, which is normally our strength. Obviously, we need to improve our batting.”

All-rounder Rich Runyard makes his first appearance of the season and Dan Hillier is available. Nick Hollely (split webbing) returns after a nasty hand injury.

Adrian Everitt, Dan Spiller and Simon Jones miss out.