DORCHESTER 190 (19pts) beat SHROTON 172 (11pts) by 18 runs

ANOTHER match-winning performance from Dorchester’s bowlers saw the hosts make it four straight Premier Two victories on Saturday.

The home side recovered from a shaky start with the bat to post a score of 190 thanks largely to a vital knock of 59 from Dan Morris.

Shroton’s reply looked to be going well until they lost their last seven wickets for 17 runs to fall 18 short – their final four wickets fell with the score on 172.

The win, Dorchester’s fifth of the season, leaves them level on points with Martinstown and just one behind Premier Two leaders Sherborne.

Speaking to Echosport after his side’s latest success, Dorchester captain Dan Belt was again indebted to his bowlers for their never-say-die attitude.

“With the belief our bowlers have I knew we could bowl out Shroton and defend the total we posted,” he said.

“Their first three or four batsmen played well and stuck around for a while but we took their last seven wickets for 17 runs and won the match.

“We were under the cosh at the second drinks break and knew we had to pull something out of the bag to win, and luckily we did.

“It was another good bowling and fielding display and now it’s really close at the top of the table so the last six games before the play-offs are going to be interesting.”

Dorchester’s middle and lower order were the driving force behind the hosts getting to 190 after they had been 2-2 at one stage early on.

As well as Morris, Eamonn Scott, James Dunham and Simon Mitchem all weighed in with important runs, but Belt was disappointed his side couldn’t secure maximum batting points.

Having said that, in the context of the game, he was satisfied with the total they did post.

He added: “The middle and lower order helped us get to 190 and that’s what I wanted from them, you can’t always rely on the top five.

“I was happy to get 190 as the wicket was a bit inconsistent and totally different to the one at their place when we bowled them out for 40 on the first day of the season.”

After three home fixtures in a row, Dorchester head to Blandford next with top spot in the table up for grabs.