ED ELLIOTT-Square hit 88 not out as Charlton Down progressed through the second round of the Doug Read Cup at the expense of Cattistock Seconds in the Read Woodruff Dorchester & District Evening League, while Cattistock made their expected progress against Cerne Valley.

St George’s maintained their 100 per cent record in Division One against Bere Regis as Rich Cole (45no) and Kyle Sloane (26no) shared a rapid 56-run stand to post 117-5.

Sloane then took 2-17 but David Griffiths (59no) and Pete Macklin (47) set up a very tense finish as Macklin was run out from the last ball leaving the Saints victors by just one run.

Bere had better fortune against Martinstown as Pete Russell (56) and Stuart Beasley (54no) set a target which Martinstown never looked like reaching, with Russell taking 2-10 as Bere won by 97 runs.

Martinstown’s batting also let them down against Puddletown as Phil Midworth took 5-9 and Ryan Norman 4-15 before Alby Stevens (46no) led Puddle to a seven-wicket victory.

Division Two saw contrasting fortunes for Charlton Down as they comfortably beat Cosmos by 94 runs, Sam Roles with 61 not out, Mark Homewood’s excellent 3-6 and Graham Wild’s 3-10 handed them a 94-run win.

Down’s game against Dewlish was much closer with bowlers on both sides doing well, with Dewlish’s Henry Cox taking 4-10 to help bowl Charlton out for a lowly 79.

However, Matt Stevens’ 2-9 and Mark Homewood’s 2-10 meant that Dewlish had to rely on Dan Belt with 29 to scrape home with the last wicket pair together.

Abbotsbury got their season successfully off the mark as Simon Mitchem’s 78 not out set up a clear 50-run win over Cattistock Seconds.

Division Three saw another close game at Puddletown, Tayab Kandahaar’s two for eight in three overs helping restrict their reserve side to 92-8.

Puddletown Rugby Club then had to rely on a six in the last over from J Green to prevail by six wickets.

Charlton Down Seconds were more comfortable winners against Dorchester Colts, as Jack Eveleigh’s 51no and Amjad Gill’s three wickets for just two runs left them 35 runs ahead.

Dorchester Casuals kept up their winning ways as J Edwards’ 2-8 in three overs helped restrict Frampton to 94-5.

James Dunham’s 40 helped them reach their target despite Chas Duerdoth’s 2-14 in his four overs as the Casuals won by seven wickets.