BROADSTONE 171 (8pts) lost to CATTISTOCK & SYMENE 222 (20pts) by 51 runs

RESURGENT Cattistock & Symene claimed their second win in three games with a comfortable 51-run win over Broadstone at Delph Woods.

Cattistock & Symene won the toss and chose to bat first on a good deck, opener Wes Lewis capitalising to the full extent.

Lewis smashed 100 from 97 balls, including 15 fours and three sixes, while the Foxes also profited from 42 extras.

Sam Baker (24) and Steve Tucker (19) chipped in to help the visitors reach 222 all out, Jack Morgan returning the best figures with 3-45.

READ MORE: Cattistock & Symene beat Christchurch by 72 runs

Cattistock bowled superbly in reply, effectively winning the contest by reducing Broadstone to 52-6, George Wyrill (3-38) claiming the huge wicket of Dan Cook (4).

Although Charlie Groves (68no) resisted, the Foxes snuffed out the tail led by the returning Brad Damen (2-23) and Ollie Legg (2-27) to seal victory.

Foxes' skipper Steve Tucker said: "Broadstone away is one we always look forward to, it's a lovely place to play and often a good batting track.

"That knock from Wes at the top of the order was great to watch and just what we needed. He has been batting well all season but without much luck, so great for him to get to the hundred mark.

"We felt we were maybe 20 or so from a par score, but our bowlers got the ball moving and took early wickets.

"From there, we were patient and built pressure from both ends. It was an added bonus to have Brad Damen back bowling for us again, he's a big part of this team and looked really up for it.

"It has been a great few weeks for us and feels good to be off the bottom of the table. We feel confident that we can keep this form going and finish the season strong."

CATTISTOCK & SYMENE II 212 (7pts) lost to KINGSTON LACY 301-5 (20pts) by 89 runs

BELOW-PAR fielding from Cattistock & Symene Seconds led to a rare home defeat at the hands of relegation-threatened Kingston Lacy, denting their promotion push.

Five routine catches were dropped and this allowed the visitors to rack up a mammoth 302, which was a huge recovery from 36-3 at the 11-over point.

Lacy’s number three John Burns led the fightback with an undefeated 128, including 14 fours and six maximums, and he formed a crucial fifth-wicket partnership with James Holton (80), extras contributing 31.

Stand-in captain Rob Jones (1-42), Bradley Wilkinson (1-36) and Jade Wilkinson (1-36) bowled well but without much luck.

After tea, the hosts made an attempt to salvage some bonus points in chasing an improbable victory with Harry Angel’s brisk 60 offering hope and the reliable Luke Robertson again chipped in with a well-made 55.

But as the asking rate climbed into double figures, Luke Westacott (2-39) and Holton (2-24) tightened their grip and finished the game in the 33rd over to win by 89 runs.

With fixtures to come against several close rivals in the table and second promotion spot still only 13 points away, there remains every chance of gaining promotion entering the final month of the season.

CATTISTOCK & SYMENE III 92-5 (19pts) beat BOURNEMOUTH V 91 (3pts) by five wickets

A THIRD win in July underlined the excellent progress Cattistock & Symene Thirds are making under Leo Gurd’s calm leadership.

Mindful of the dry and dusty conditions, Gurd stacked the team with spinners and this decision proved a masterstroke with spin-trio Howard Legg, Jack Bartlett and Luke Sibley running through the Bournemouth batting in short order.

Legg plundered the entire top-5 batters on his way to a superb 5-21 return and the introduction of Bartlett (2-13) ended top scorer Dane Lockyer’s resistance for a well-made 29 in a total of 91.

After the break, Lloyd Cleal (30) and Jay Collins (12) soon settled any nerves with a sound opening partnership until the visitors’ Varun Neelamraju induced a mini-collapse on his way to a fine 4-19 bowling analysis.

But Justin Gurd’s unbeaten 26 ensured the win was secured with 15 overs remaining.

Afterwards, Leo Gurd praised the fielding, singling out young Jake Hart in particular for a fine all-round display.

An assignment at Swanage awaits next week where similar spin-friendly conditions normally prevail and could tempt Gurd into similar team selection.