By Robin Potter

ST GEORGE'S went a long way towards regaining the Evening League title they last won three years ago by thrashing Puddletown on Dorchester Rec.

A combination of difficult conditions, good bowling, especially by Ross Baker with four wickets for just six runs and some injudicious shot selection saw Puddletown dismissed for a mere 40.

Ryan Norman gave them some early hope with two wickets for 12, but Simon Proffitt’s 28 including a marvellous six into the practice nets saw the Saints home easily.

They now need only one more win to clinch top spot.

Elsewhere, Bradley Damen played a captain’s part in Cattistock’s victory over Bere Regis.

His 28 was top score in his side’s 125-8, with the Bere bowlers all taking wickets, before Pete Russell (37) and Shane Hewitt (29no) gave Bere a solid base in their chase of this total.

Skipper Bradley then demolished the rest of their batting with three wickets for 11, leaving Cattistock the victors by 10 runs.

In Division Two, Hazelbury Bryan finished with two more points when Cerne Valley conceded, but the title and promotion spot seems to be between Plush and Charlton Down.

A nail-biting last ball win for Charlton Down over Abbotsbury kept them locked together with Plush at the top.

Division Three strugglers ASM managed two games.

In the first, they were well beaten by Charlton Down Seconds.

Richard Fagence conceded only nine runs in his four overs and this restricted ASM to 82-4.

Jack Eveleigh’s 39 not out ensured Charlton Down reached this target for the loss of just two wickets.

ASM did much better against Winfrith.

A century from Neil Joseph (101) with backing from Laurence Tomkin (34) allowed ASM to post 180-6.

M Upshall (32) and P Nelson (31) gave Winfrith a good start in reply but when David Clifford came on to bowl, his four wickets for seven runs meant a comprehensive win for ASM by 79 runs.

This should have been the last week of the season, but the recent downpours have postponed several games until next week, or even the week after.

It is hoped the weather will allow all games to be completed as soon as possible before the light fades too early so that the title winners can be confirmed next week.

DIVISION ONE

P W L Pts

St George's 8 7 1 0 15

Puddletown 8 6 0 2 12

Cattistock 10 6 0 4 10

Bere Regis 8 2 1 5 5

Dewlish 8 2 0 6 4

Martinstown 8 1 0 7 2

(Cattistock deducted two points for conceding a game)

DIVISION TWO

P W L Pts

Plush 10 8 2 16

Charlton Down 10 8 2 16

Hazelbury Bryan 12 8 4 16

Abbotsbury 8 4 4 8

Cattistock II 12 4 8 8

Cerne Valley 7 3 5 4

Frampton 10 0 10 -4

(Frampton deducted four points, Cerne deducted two)