STALBRIDGE 130 (17pts) beat BERE REGIS 84 (5pts) by 46 runs

BERE Regis suffered their first Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League defeat of the season at Stalbridge in a low-scoring clash, coming up short by 46 runs at The Park.

Bere captain Rich Cole won the toss elected to field and, after Crispin Brown (3-26) halted an attacking innings from Stuart Sweatman (22), which included four boundaries, Bere stormed through the middle order.

In a controlled bowling display, Bere created chances at regular intervals and might have skittled the hosts for fewer runs had they held several dropped catches.

As it was, the wicket of Sweatman began an avalanche of wickets as the visitors took 7-40 to leave the home team on 79-7.

A brief cameo from Simon Sweatman (30), including the only six of the innings, was halted by Dean Rogerson (3-14), who together with fellow spinner Dave Griffiths (1-16), produced excellent figures as Stalbridge made 130 all out from 45 overs.

In reply, Bere lost Matt King (3) and Rogerson (1) to Stuart Sweatman (1-13) and Steve Forshaw (1-19) respectively as they wobbled to 9-2.

But, when opener Rob Cole (18) was dismissed by Ollie Legg (4-14), ending a 32-run stand with Rob Murphy (19), Stalbridge took control as Legg and Howard Batten (4-14) trampled through the rest of the Bere innings – extras being their highest scorer with 21 of the 84 total.

Speaking to Echosport after the defeat, Bere captain Rich Cole rued a lack of application from his batsmen.

He said: “With the fielding we dropped five catches and could’ve bowled them out a lot cheaper and then our batting just didn’t really happen.

“I felt that Stalbridge bowled well to the conditions and knew the right areas to bowl in. We didn’t really apply ourselves and almost thought the job was done by teatime.

“Other than the two Robs we didn’t apply ourselves and got out to their fourth and fifth bowlers who took a four-for each.

“Those that scored runs in the first week haven’t managed to continue their form.

“We need to consolidate for Dorchester (on Saturday) after their two wins, especially seeing them bowl teams out for low scores. We’ve got to show what we’re made of.”

Meanwhile, Bere Regis Seconds collected a huge 125-run victory over Weymouth Seconds in County Division Five to earn their first win of the season, plus maximum points.

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