PUDDLETOWN 300-5 (19pts) beat CERNE VALLEY II 173-8 (6pts) by 127 runs

 

PUDDLETOWN kept their place at the top of County Division Four with a commanding 127-run success over ten-man Cerne Valley Seconds at Puddletown Rec.

 

After winning the toss and batting, Puddletown lost Duncan Macbean (15) to the bowling of Cerne skipper Mark Downey (2-43), leaving the hosts on 53-1.

 

That brought captain Adam Barrett to the crease and, paired with opener Lucas Allen, the duo started to plunder runs at will in an enormous 204-run second-wicket stand.

 

Allen, negotiating dangerous opening bowler Dave Milner, and somehow evading scattered fielders, plundered 23 boundaries in an imperious 134.

 

Barrett, cleverly targeting the short boundary on the leg side, notched 124 to complete a second consecutive century.

 

Despite some excellent bowling by the talented young wicketkeeper David Gray (0-55), it was to be a difficult day for the Cerne attack as Puddletown closed on a lofty 300-5.

 

Cerne came out fighting in the second innings as openers Colin Gough (54) and Benjamin Newton built a lusty 115-run partnership that briefly raised the possibility of a close contest.

 

The door was pushed firmly shut, however, when spindle-shanked Adam Weir removed Newton's off-bail for 71.

 

Shortly afterwards, the powerful Gough followed, Hoffmann diving forward to snaffle a low catch at third slip.

 

Cerne then opted for a shut-out, raising the drawbridge against a marauding Puddletown bowling unit.

 

Despite excellent catching from Cooke and Crabb, backing the pace of Mark Gavelda (2-15) and Kieran Knight (1-5), pragmatic defence from Gray and Downey (16) saw the game go the full distance.

 

Like last week, Puddletown were unable to claim the final wickets, with Milner’s stockade proving far too strong in the final over.

 

However, Puddletown left with 19 points and continued their run at the top of the table. The leaders next face Shaftesbury away on Saturday.