PUDDLETOWN 121 (6pts) lost to WAREHAM 152-9 (19pts) by 31 runs

LEAGUE leaders Puddletown suffered a shock defeat against Wareham in County Division Four on Saturday.

Despite the forecasted heavy rain, a competitive yet sportsmanlike game was completed at Puddletown Rec, when top-of-the-table Puddletown hosted their relegation-threatened opposition.

Having won the toss in overcast conditions, Wareham skipper Matt Truman elected to bat.

This proved to be a rewarding decision early on, when Wareham openers Ashley Hayes (22) and Jack Hector (16) went after Puddletown’s opening bowlers Lucas Allen (1-38) and Dave Morris (1-21).

In the eighth over, with the score on 42, Puddletown eventually made the breakthrough when Morris had Hayes caught at mid-on by Duncan Macbean.

A score of 42-1 then soon became 74-4 after Charlie Parsons (14) and Truman (7) both fell to the left-arm in-swing bowling of Luke Askew (2-32).

In the middle overs, Puddletown introduced the spin combination of Andy Barrett (2-24) and Tom Arkell (3-24) which the Wareham batsman found difficult to get away.

At the 30-over mark, Wareham were in trouble at 102-6. It was at this point however, that talented youngster Harry Wright (40) stepped forward, showing his class with some elaborate scoop and ramp shots.

Wright was eventually dismissed by Lucas Allen, bringing the Wareham total to a gutsy 152-9 from their 40 overs.

Missing a large proportion of the top order from recent weeks, Puddletown went about the chase with a re-shuffled batting line-up, with Macbean (1) opening the batting with the dependable (34).

The opening bowling combination of Wright (3-35) and John Darling (0-17) bowled brilliantly up front, giving very little away.

When Macbean, Crabb and Clarke all fell inside the first 10 overs, the Puddletown skipper Adam Barrett entered the crease.

At this point, Wareham had their tails up and they knew that breaking the formidable partnership of Barrett and Allen was key to winning the game.

The pair moved the score on to 42-3 from 15 overs, before disaster struck for the home side. Both Allen and Barrett were bowled by Parsons (3-18) in consecutive overs, leaving the batting side on 45-6 at drinks.

At this point, Puddletown knew that the total was probably beyond reach, so Askew (36) and Arkell (5) went out in search of bonus points.

A 50 partnership between the pair was produced, leaving Puddletown requiring a challenging yet possible target of 52 to win from the final 10 overs.

However, like throughout much of the day, Wareham all-rounder Wright returned to the attack and showed his class by claiming both the wickets of Askew and Arkel, ending any chances of a late Puddletown surge.

Puddletown’s next match is an away game to fourth-placed Sturminster Hinton.