ST GEORGE’S secured their sixth Dorchester Evening League Division One crown in seven summers after recording their eighth successive win.

Last summer saw Dewlish break the Saints’ stranglehold on the title but this year the latter have hit back with a vengeance.

And to ensure the top-flight trophy will be back in their grasp, the league leaders disposed of both Knockout Cup winners Cattistock and lowly Hazelbury Bryan in their latest fixtures.

First, the Saints saw off a spirited challenge from the former. Dave Griffiths plundered 47 as the table-toppers racked up 164-4 and although James England hit a superb 86 in response, his side fell just short on 155-8 – thanks in part to the efforts of bowler Rich Cole (3-8).

Tim Goodhew then snared 3-10 in a more comfortable victory over Hazelbury Bryan.

The latter were all out for 93 and St George’s lost just two wickets before easing home, with Colin Edney (32) their leading run-scorer.

The Division Two title has yet to be settled after favourites Winfrith (74 all out) were beaten by nearest rivals Bere Regis (127-8).

Pete Macklin was the star of the show for the second-placed outfit, scoring 37 runs before returning impressive figures of 4-5.

Winfrith (136-7) recovered from the setback with a commanding display against third-placed Charlton Down (72 all out).

Their 10th victory of the campaign means that a win in their final outing of the season, or defeat for Bere Regis at Frampton tomorrow night, will see them crowned as champions.

Also in Division Two, Puddletown (129-9) narrowly got the better of Abbotsbury (120-5), despite fine performances from Steve Budd (42) and Krish Subramanian (4-21).

Churches United will tonight be hoping to celebrate winning Division Three after earning victories over the bottom two teams.

The leaders, who take on nearest challengers Plush this evening, were indebted to two fine knocks from Pete Diffy.

First he finished unbeaten on 38 not out as United (90-1) breezed past Puddletown RFC (89-5) before a half-century (58) helped his side (136-5) overcome Charlton Down Seconds (86-5).

Plush (166-4), who still hold a game in hand, maintained the pressure in second place with a six-wicket triumph over Colliton Club (165-3), even though Giles Woodford scored 75 not out for the latter.

Elsewhere, Will Silk claimed 4-26 and Simon Dunford registered an unbeaten 45 as Charlton Down Seconds (109-5) sunk Winfrith Seconds (108-7).

RESULTS Division One: St George’s 164-4 (Dave Griffiths 47, Bradley Damen 2-39) beat Cattistock 155-8 (James England 86, Rich Cole 3-8); St George’s 95-2 (Colin Edney 32, T Elms 2-24) beat Hazelbury Bryan 93 (P Needham 31, Tim Goodhew 3-10).

Division Two: Winfrith 136-7 (Matt Thomas/Paddy Selfe 33, Tim Durston 3-26) beat Charlton Down 72 (Alex Campbell 28, Ryan Norman 3-12); Bere Regis 127-8 (Pete Macklin 37, Ryan Norman 3-41) beat Winfrith 74 (Ian Booth 32, Pete Macklin 4-5); Puddletown 129-9 (J Lewis 32, K Subramanian 4-21) beat Abbotsbury 120-5 (Steve Budd 42, Jamie Barrett 3-25).

Division Three: Churches United 90-1 (Pete Diffy 38no, Adam Church 1-26) beat Puddletown RFC 89-5 (Chris Ricketts 38no, Mark Boggust 3-19); Plush 166-4 (Tim Mitchell 54, Giles Woodford 3-62) beat Colliton Club 165-3 (Giles Woodford 75no, Matthew Chambers 2-22); Churches United 136-5 (Pete Diffy 58, Steve Marsh 4-33) beat Charlton Down Seconds 86-5 (Greg Sohawon 28, Chris Wall 2-16); Charlton Down Seconds 109-5 (Simon Dunford 45no, Shaun Everill 2-28) beat Winfrith Seconds 108-7 (Sam Ellis 36no, Will Silk 4-26).

FIXTURES Tonight, Division One: Cerne Valley v Hazelbury Bryan, Dewlish v Cattistock.

Division Three: Churches United v Plush.

Tomorrow, Division Two: Frampton v Bere Regis.

Division Three: Plush v Colliton Club.

Friday, Division One: Dewlish v St George’s.

Division Three: Colliton Club v Winfrith Seconds.

Tuesday, August 14, Division One: St George’s v Hazelbury Bryan.

Division Two: Abbotsbury v Frampton.

Wednesday, August 15, Division One: Cattistock v Cerne Valley.