Cattistock & Symene beat Puddletown by 58 runs

PUDDLETOWN sustained a major blow in their battle to avoid the Dorset Premier League drop as Cattistock & Symene took a 58-run victory at Plush.

Coming into the game, Puddletown were bottom with the Foxes nine points above them and just one team going down this season.

However, on a scorching day, the toss proved crucial as Cattistock & Symene won the flip and elected to bat first.

Openers Wes Lewis (35) and Luke King (64) capitalised but tidy bowling from Rob Snow (3-32) pulled Puddletown back into the game.

READ MORE: Bere Regis beat Cattistock & Symene by 58 runs

There were still major contributions to come from Brad Mullins (55) and Billy Wallbridge (31no) after skipper Steve Tucker hit 25.

Although Callum Chaldecott (2-37) did his best to stem the tide, Cattistock & Symene set an imposing 274-8 from their 50 overs.

Amid the hot weather, the batting surface understandably began to favour the bowlers later in the day – but not before Puddletown made a blistering start with the bat.

Ryan Norman was promoted to open along with fellow ex-Swanage star Ollie Shrubsole.

Although the latter fell for two, nicking George Wyrill (2-50) behind to Tucker, Norman stormed along with James Mitchell for company.

Tucker turned to Mullins as first change and he made a quick double breakthrough, bowling Norman and then accounting for Dave Morris (0), who had been boosted to number four.

Wyrill removed Reegan Norman (0) before Mitchell partnered with captain Adam Barrett (22), the duo pushing Puddletown as they so often have in recent seasons.

Yet Barrett perished to Luke King (3-35) and Mitchell (82) was left with no alternative but to strike out, while King claimed two more victims in Adam Weir (8) and Snow (0).

Mitchell was eventually stumped by Tucker off seamer Brad Damen (1-40) and Cattistock completed a fine victory, moving them 21 points clear of Puddletown with 60 points to play for.

It means should Cattistock claim maximum points against Martinstown on Saturday, Puddletown will be relegated.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Tucker said: "It's an important result for us and one we deserved.

"We were determined to bat our overs and post a score upwards of 220 and put pressure on Puddletown, so 274-8 was a great effort.

"Kinger and Wes got us off to a fantastic start, then almost everyone chipped in with a few runs.

"It was great to see Brad Mullins find some form with the bat. He's an important player for us and scored some very important runs from the middle order.

"Credit to Puddletown, they came out and gave it a good go.

"Some poor fielding allowed them to get a foothold but we managed to pull it back with some experienced bowling.

"We've won three of our last five games now and the boys are excited to go again against Martinstown."

SHERBORNE II 277-2 (20pts) beat CATTISTOCK & SYMENE II 122 (3pts) by 155 runs

CATTISTOCK & Symene Seconds' recent slump in form continued with a heavy 155-run defeat at Sherborne.

Skipper Reuben Kingston rotated the seven bowlers at his disposal who all toiled with little success on a difficult afternoon, conceding 277 runs for the return of just two wickets for George Crabb (1-34) and Jason Bradley (1-72).

Sherborne opener Andy Guppy made a sparkling 128 not out from 129 balls, containing 21 boundaries and wickets in hand allowed Freddie Harden (42) and Danny Baker (56no) full licence to accelerate the scoring rate further to the match-winning total of 277-2.

In reply, the hosts' Mark Hancock removed three of the top order on his way to a fine 3-10 return and the now customary run-out saw opening bat Jason Bradley return to the pavilion prematurely, joint top-scoring alongside Luke Robertson with 26.

All-rounder and middle-order batter Rob Jones, having been injured earlier fielding a return catch off his own bowling, had to bat at number ten and made a brisk 18 to get the total to three figures but in truth the match was really lost on the first innings.

n The beneficiaries of a scratch by Marnhull Thirds last week, Cattistock & Symene Thirds return to County Division Six action with a trip to Dorchester Thirds on Saturday (1.30pm).