SHERBORNE 194 (19pts) beat DORCHESTER 87* (5pts) by 93 runs (*revised target of 180)

DORCHESTER let slip a great chance of tightening their grip on first place in Premier Two.

They may have collapsed to 87 all out in reply to Sherborne’s 194, but it was in the hosts’ innings that their problems began.

Dan Belt and his troops had the home side reeling when they reduced them to 58-6.

An early finish seemed to be on the cards until Sherborne were let off the hook and given the chance to post a total of just under 200.

A cloudburst at tea saw Dor-chester set a revised target of 180 in 42 overs, a score well within the reach of the side that started the day top of Premier Two.

However, a combination of the downpour and poor shot selection resulted in a below-par batting display by the visitors.

“It was not a good day at the office,” said Dorchester skipper Belt. “We had them 58-6 but then went through a bad spell with the ball and we allowed them to get up to 194. There were times when we let ourselves down in the field and gave them free runs, but we were still quite happy at keeping them below 200.

“The rain came at tea and a little bit must have got on the wicket because it seemed to have a new life after that.

“We were set 180 in 42 overs which was doable but we never really got going with the bat and people got themselves out.

“There were some terrible shots played and we did have a bit of bad luck.”

The bad luck Belt mentioned was in reference to his own dismissal, one which he doesn’t think he will ever see again.

He added: “The ball from their seamer was going down the leg side and it has turned and hit the off stump.

“I couldn’t do anything about it and even their players were apologising for how much it turned.

“It was just one of those freak deliveries that probably won’t happen again.”

Dorchester, now down to third in the table behind Sherborne and new leaders Martinstown, will try to bounce back when they entertain Broadstone on Saturday.