DORSET TIGERS 139 (5pts) lost to PUDDLETOWN 140-5 (20pts) by five wickets

IT WAS a carnival atmosphere at picturesque Branksome as an under-strength Puddletown defeated Dorset Indians for another crucial five-wicket victory in County Division Three.

Puddletown elected to bowl first on an unpredictable pitch. Early bounce proved to be the undoing of the Indians’ batsmen as opening bowlers Callum Chaldicott (3-28) and Hoffmann beat the outside edge with alarming frequency.

Chaldicott bowled Sarves Chitnis (4) in over three, and Josento Josento (30) was put down shortly after, off the bowling of Michael Hoffmann (0-17), mid-wicket juggling a difficult chance after a good dive.

Chaldicott then removed Juber Jundre (4), a big top edge falling neatly into the gloves of Graham Heron behind the stumps. Chaldicott completed the early rout by bowling skipper Junaid Khan (7) as he finished a devastating spell.

The Indians’ batsmen continued to walk the tightrope against spinner Rob Snow, as the debutant Scotsman bamboozled his way to 1-21 off nine, bowling Josento to end his resolve.

The wickets continued to come at steady intervals as Steven Chaldicott (2-16) and Lucas Allen (1-21) bowled tight lines on a drying pitch, the former bowling strongman Gunaseelan Sithambaram, who top scored with 41.

The bizarre dismissal of Ashish Sharma (15), who top edged Chris Holman (1-9) to point via his own head, precipitated the end for the Indians, who were dismissed for 139.

However, in-form Allen (3) chipped Sharma (2-32) tamely to mid-on at the outset of the Puddletown innings.

A useful stand of 63 followed as Chris Eastment and Chris Clarke stabilised the innings against a useful attack, the latter falling to the bowling of Tyson Luis (1-22) for a vital 31.

The dismissal gave Dorset Indians fresh impetus and a mini collapse followed, with Michael Crabb (1) and Newcombe (4) falling in quick succession.

When Eastment, bowled by Ashish (2-41) was sent back to the hutch for a battling 27, things looked grim for the visitors on 100-5.

The experienced middle order stalwarts Hoffmann (15) and Snow (25) found themselves under pressure but, unruffled, they managed to tame the upbeat Indians’ attack with a combination of watchfulness and aggressive stroke play for 20 well-earned points.

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