COMPTON HOUSE 233 (7pts) lost to BEAMINSTER 261-5 (20pts) by 28 runs

BEAMINSTER secured their first win of the County Division One season in emphatic style with a high-scoring win over Compton House.

Chris Park was central to the victory, smashing a blistering 110 to help Beaminster post 261-5 from 40 overs before the visitors held off an attacking House side to win by 28 runs.

Beaminster captain Ross Baker lost the toss and was surprisingly asked to bat first in searing heat.

Compton’s decision looked to have paid dividends when Will Moss (0) and Adam Moss (2) fell cheaply.

But Park, who sustained a back issue early in his innings, began to cut loose.

He was ably supported by significant contributions from Dan Hillier (42) and James Edmunds (47) as Beaminster made good use of a batting-friendly pitch and short boundaries.

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Park struck 14 boundaries and three sixes in reaching his century, before perishing in the final over as Beaminster posted a whopping 261-5, aided by a huge 52 extras.

Beaminster began the defence of their total in fine style, reducing House to 39-3.

However, the powerful hitting of Max Dangerfield (69) and Chris Haynes (52) had Beaminster worried – particularly after Haynes was dropped on multiple occasions.

Simon Jones (4-29) eventually made the breakthrough to bowl Haynes.

Thomas Copp (53) also scored a rapid half-century but Nick Hollely (4-36) bowled both men to relieve the pressure on Beaminster.

It was left to Jones to mop up the final three wickets and seal a maiden win of 2021.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Baker said: “We batted very well and we were delighted to bat first.

“Maybe they underestimated us a bit. We’ve been playing a lot better the last two or three weeks, it’s been building.

“I thought our first win was around the corner and when we put our strongest side out we always give ourselves a good chance.

“It all came together, moving Chris up to the top of the order has helped because he’s had a spell trying to bat in the middle order. It’s rebuilt his confidence.

“It clicked during Cricket Week, he found some form, and the other batters all batted around him and formed two or three strong partnerships.

“When you do that, you give yourself a good chance to post a really high score, which we did.”

Beaminster go on to host third-placed Weymouth on Saturday (1.30pm).

“I think the pressure’s off us now a little bit,” he said.

“We can just go out there and give it our best shot. I think Weymouth have got one of the best bowling attacks, if not the best bowling attack, in the league.

“We’re going to have to bat really well, take our form from last Saturday and improve our fielding.”

Beaminster make just one change with James Edmunds replaced by Dan Spiller.

Beaminster: Park, W Moss, A Moss, Hillier, Spiller, Baker, Jones, O Bareham, N Hollely, Edwards, Everitt.