BEAMINSTER 162-8 (5pts) lost to STURMINSTER MARSHALL 163-5 (19pts) by 5 wickets

BEAMINSTER were made to pay for dropping a number of catches as Sturminster Marshall staged a successful run chase to win this County Division Three clash.

Batting first, the visitors struggled on an uneven surface with variable bounce and found runs hard to come by.

Rich Runyard and Hugh Rathbone put on 29 for the first wicket in a solid opening partnership, but Beaminster were three down by the time the total had reached three figures.

Both openers got starts with 19 and 24 respectively, however, Ross Baker went for just four when he was trapped lbw by D Cockram (1-37).

Will Everitt top scored with a well constructed 40 and Adam Herring’s contribution of 35 was key to the visitors getting past 150.

W Gage, who dismissed Runyard and Herring, was Sturminster Marshall’s standout bowler thanks to figures of 3-28.

There were also twickets apiece for C White (2-25) and J Flower (2-20) as Beaminster made 162-8 from their 45 overs.

Beaminster created a number of wicket-taking chances during the hosts’ reply but the Sturminster Marshall batsmen were let off the hook by the away team’s fielders.

Only 13 runs were scored in the first nine overs but crucially five catches were spilled.

Baker (1-31) eventually had danger man S Gardner leg before wicket for just nine.

However, the home side recovered and then went on the attack thanks to White’s 32 and useful knocks from Gage (17) and J Cornick (28).

Although Beaminster managed to take four more wickets, one each for Herring (1-12), Will Everitt (1-42), Terry Field (1-24) and Francis Medley (1-31), other opportunities were missed.

A Filleul’s unbeaten 31 helped see the hosts over the line with 16 overs left.

Despite losing for the third weekend in a row, Beaminster are now sixth in the table following a thrashing for Wimborne & Colehill Thirds at Dorchester Seconds.

In Division Six, there was a seventh loss of the campaign for Beaminster Seconds.

They were bowled out for 163 at home to Poole Town Fourths before the visitors got the runs required with five wickets down.

Beaminster’s second string now go to Stalbridge Thirds in their next outing this Saturday.