BEAMINSTER 128 (6pts) lost to STALBRIDGE SECONDS 129-8 (18pts) by 2 wickets

A MAJOR batting collapse saw Beaminster lose nine wickets for 54 runs as they went down to defeat at Stalbridge Seconds in County Division Three.

Hosts Stalbridge struggled with the bat themselves but did manage to edge a low-scoring and rain-affected contest.

Having won the toss, Beaminster started well with openers Rich Runyard (43) and Hugh Rathbone (39) sharing an opening stand of 74.

However, after heavy rain, Runyard’s dismissal triggered a rapid fall of wickets as batting conditions deteriorated.

The wicket kept very low and deliveries skidded through, leading to several cheap dismissals and Jamie Anderson-Deas claiming 6-16.

In all, he took the scalps of Rathbone, Ross Baker (6), Vijay (0), Dave Penman (2), Aidey Phillips (3) and William Murley (0).

Other than Runyard, Rathbone and Will Everitt (11), none of the other Beaminster batsmen reached double figures.

And the last five wickets fell for the addition of only eight runs as the visitors were bowled out for 128 in the 39th over.

In reply, Stalbridge toiled against the Beaminster openers as three wickets were lost for just 14 runs.

G Coleman was out leg before wicket for a duck, J Atkins only managed one run, and E Stevens also went back to the pavilion without getting off the mark.

Baker (2-31) and Everitt (1-15) bowled with good pace and determination, applying plenty of pressure early in the innings.

However, crucial catches were again spilled in the field and the pressure that Beaminster had built up went to waste.

Stalbridge were able to recover thanks to M Chant’s 35, though Phillips bowled a superb spell of 3-16 to give his side a chance.

But after further rain delays the ball became increasingly wet and difficult to control.

Beaminster continued to battle but were powerless to prevent Stalbridge from reaching their target in the 29th over after losing eight wickets.

Adam Herring (1-16) and Mark Barber (1-10) also took wickets for the away side, but Vijay went for 30 in his two overs.

Stalbridge’s win sees them sit joint top of the division, while Beaminster, who host Weymouth Seconds this Saturday, are sixth on 86 points.

Elsewhere, Beaminster Seconds, without a match in Division Six last weekend, go to Marnhull Seconds, the side one place above them in the standings.