CERNE VALLEY 199 (19pts) beat BEAMINSTER 126 (7pts) by 73 runs

BEAMINSTER fell 74 runs short of victory away to Cerne Valley as several dropped catches proved crucial in the final outcome.

Batting first having been put in on a damp wicket, the hosts found scoring difficult due to tight bowling from Beaminster openers Ross Baker and Aidey Phillips.

However, catches did not go to hand as Beaminster struggled to take wickets against some defiant batting.

Jack Walklett (3-17) was the pick of eight bowlers used and although more wickets fell – Simon Jones took 3-38 and Indy Nayakkara 3-27 – Cerne accelerated the scoring, particularly big hitters Chubb (53) and Baney (26).

Several chances in the field were spilled before Cerne were eventually bowled out in the final over for an above-par score of 199.

Beaminster’s reply started well through Walklett (17) and Jones (39), though the Cerne bowlers kept things tight with a good line and length.

Jones’ dismissal then sparked a collapse as spinner Mercer bowled an excellent spell of 2-10 in 10 overs.

With overs running out and wickets falling regularly, it was left to Hugh Rathbone (35) to strike some meaty blows to ensure some respectability.

Beaminster were well beaten in the end, losing their last wicket in the 43rd over with the score on 126.