BEAMINSTER 198-6 (7pts) lost to SHERBORNE SECONDS 202-7 (18pts) by three wickets

SHERBORNE Seconds won a tight and keenly fought contest at the Terrace against Beaminster.

The visitors battled hard in the field but Sherborne’s middle order stood firm to reach their target.

Captain Ross Baker made 55 as the hosts made 198-6, a score that seemed under-par.

Despite early wickets from Aidey Phillips, Sherborne’s Roger Parfitt alongside their captain John Laird propelled their side to a three-wicket victory.

Beaminster’s innings was dominated by a 105-run partnership between Ali Crawford (54) and Ross Baker (55).

After losing both openers with the score on 52, they built an excellent partnership with clever running between the wickets and punishing loose deliveries.

Once the partnership was broken, Beaminster’s scoring rate slowed.

Only 32 runs were scored in the last 10 overs as the innings closed on a below par score of 198.

In reply, Sherborne started well as both openers played freely.

However, wickets tumbled when Aidey Phillips (3-37) entered the attack.

After the top three batsmen were dismissed, Roger Parfitt (43) and skipper Laird (44) built a match-winning partnership.

Although both players were eventually dismissed the damage had already been inflicted as the home team reached their target in the 40th over.

Crawford (2-35), Rob Meech (1-14) and Ryan Sweetman (1-10) all took wickets while Leo Gurd, Justin Gurn, Ryan Sweetman and Ross Baker all took important catches in the defeat.