CATTISTOCK & SYMENE 103 (4pts) lost to POOLE TOWN 191-7 (19pts) by 88 runs

CATTISTOCK & Symene lost by 88 runs to title-chasing Poole Town as their quest for a first Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League victory of the season continues.

With the start delayed by rain and the match shortened to 40 overs a side, Foxes’ captain Bradley Damen opted to bowl first after winning the toss.

Poole made an assured start before a trio of smart catches reduced them to 51-3, first Bradley Mullins running round and diving low to his left off the bowling of Damen then Jason Bradley diving one-handed to his right to pouch a firmly struck shot off Sam Baker (2-31).

Liam Toohill got in on the act, gratefully accepting an easy catch off dangerman Badrul Alam (9) after Mullins had parried the ball up in the air at gully.

Poole rebuilt until Damen broke the partnership at 83 with the score on 134-4, bowling Richard Armstrong (47) with a perfect slower ball.

Damen (3-24) and Toohill (1-25) picked up wickets in the closing overs as Poole Town finished on 191-7, Dan Jackson (37) and David Miller (28no) contributing strongly.

Cattistock made a quick start to their innings, Billy Wallbridge taking 20 from the second over as the Foxes raced to 40-0 from the first five. However, Toohill (10) was the first to fall before Wallbridge was bowled for a rapid 40 off just 34 balls by Jackson (1-17).

At 61-2 the home side were still in a great position to chase down their target, although Steve Tucker (1) and Baker (0) fell victim to Joe Wilson (2-15).

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However, the fall of the hard-working Mullins for 23 triggered a collapse from 90-4 to 103 all out as three more ducks were recorded, Joey Wormington returning stonking figures of 4-3 from 4.2 overs as the Foxes succumbed to an 88-run defeat.

Damen said: “We bowled well in spells, Brad in particular bowled superbly without reward. We were happy to keep them under 200.

“Billy got us off to a brilliant start but we lost momentum when he got out, unfortunately we had a bit of a collapse and couldn’t recover.”

ASHMORE 105 (3pts) lost to CATTISTOCK & SYMENE II 106-3 (20pts) by seven wickets

CATTISTOCK & Symene Seconds continued their assault on the County Division Four title with a seven-wicket win at Ashmore.

Ashmore won the toss and batted first but Ethan Robertson (1-12) struck early doors before first change bowlers Robin Jones (1-16) and captain Sam Good (3-10) tore into the middle order.

They had the home side in all kinds of trouble and opening bowler George Wyrill then returned to the attack to claim 3-46 and finish up the innings along with James Boulton (2-13) as the hosts were bowled out for 105 inside 34 overs, Rob Guy (24) top-scoring.

In reply, leading runscorer Reuben Kingston departed for just nine and was closely followed back to the pavilion by Good (11) and Wyrill (2).

Leo Gurd was playing well though and was joined by the in-form Harry Angel. Together they saw the Foxes over the line, Gurd finishing unbeaten on 43 and Angel unbeaten on 25 as they claimed 20 points.

Good said: “This was another ruthless performance by the lads, we took wickets early and didn’t let up.

“Our run chase got off to a shaky start but Leo never looked in trouble and guided us home brilliantly.

“Bere Regis dropped some points so it was nice to be able to extend our lead at the top of the table.”

Elsewhere, Cattistock and Symene Thirds were on the wrong side of a short game at Stalbridge in County Division Five North & West.

Batting first, the visitors were dismissed for just 48 with no batsmen making it into double figures, extras top-scoring with 15 as Edward Pattle took 3-3.

They did claim a solitary point however, dismissing two home team batters, Jack Bartlett (1-11) and Bradley Wilkinson (1-2) claiming the wickets as Stalbridge coasted to an eight-wicket win, Toby Jeanes finishing unbeaten on 42.