BLANDFORD 120 (2pts) lost to DORCHESTER 123-3 (20pts) by 7 wickets

DORCHESTER moved to the top of the Premier Two table on Saturday after an emphatic seven-wicket victory at Blandford.

Dan Belt’s men took their winning run to five matches and now sit level on points with Martin-stown at the summit.

All six of Dorchester’s bowlers came to the party at Blandford as the hosts struggled to 120 all out in 38 overs.

Chasing maximum points, the visitors had very few problems in reply, knocking off the runs required for the loss of only three wickets.

“We could have bowled them out for a lot less,” said skipper Belt. “But we were happy to keep them to 120 and it was another very good performance by the bowlers and in the field.

“It was a soft wicket with a bit of grass on top but it didn’t do much, so we just bowled straight and put pressure on them.

“We got off to a great start in reply. Pete Moxom was in good nick until he was bowled but Quenton Miller held the innings together with 57 not out.

“Will Caldwell was a bit unlucky with an lbw decision, Fergus Guppy had a first ball duck, then me and Quenton saw it through to the end.

“Only losing three wickets meant we didn’t lose any points chasing and we ended up with the full 20.”

The omens didn’t look good for Blandford when they lost opener Steve Franklin, caught by Guppy off Belt for a duck, in the first over.

In fact, five of the Blandford line-up were dismissed without getting off the mark and only Tom Waggett and Stuart Robbins made scores of 20 or more.

Moxom (3-14) and James Dunham (3-22) stood out with the ball but Belt (1-15), Caldwell (1-29), Eamonn Scott (1-25) and Joe Power (1-9) played their part too.

Openers Caldwell and Moxom both scored 22 in Dorchester’s reply before Miller’s unbeaten 57 and 14 not out from Belt eased the visitors home.

Next up for the county town side is a clash with Wimborne & Colehill Seconds at Dorchester Rec.

Belt’s charges have only lost once this summer and that came unstuck against their next opponents in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

Belt added: “It’s a chance for some payback.

“Everyone will be up for it and the lads want to set the record straight.”