CATTISTOCK scored exactly 144 twice in a row and then lost both times last week, and almost repeated the trick in the latest round of Read Woodruff Dorchester & District Evening League fixtures, reaching 145 before losing at Puddletown.

The batsmen found things more difficult at Lower Ashton Farm, Martinstown, where the home side were bowled out for a lowly 103 by St George’s, Simon Proffitt and Rich Cole taking three wickets each and Matt King and Jamie Barrett two apiece.

Mike Kennedy-Barnard and Charlie Durrant then had the Saints struggling at 63-5 before Cole and Garry King put together a 40-run stand to see the visitors home, leaving St George’s two points clear of Bere Regis, with a game in hand, at the top of the table.

The race for the Division Two title became rather closer with two good wins for Charlton Down, including a first defeat of the season for Hazelbury Bryan.

In Charlton’s match against Abbotsbury, Jack Eveleigh with 45 and a quick-fire 25 from Mark Homewood at the end of their innings helped Charlton Down to 133-7 despite Krishnan Subramanian’s 3-16 in four overs.

With all five Charlton bowlers taking wickets, the Swans were kept in check and finished 18 runs short.

Nick Voss with an excellent 95 not out then saw Charlton post more than 200 against Hazelbury and Matt Stevens’ 3-16 helped them to a 43-run victory, though Jim Betts did score a noteworthy unbeaten 70.

Dewlish made very short work of their victory over Cattistock Seconds.

With Justin Miller conceding only seven runs in his four overs and Simon Ross just eight in three, it was left to Ben Golledge with 44 not out to get Cattistock to 86-3.

Ollie Legg took two early wickets but Dan Belt’s rapid 44, including six boundaries, saw Dewlish home with six overs to spare.

Dorchester Casuals continue to be clear at the top of Division Three, preserving their 100 per cent record with a big lead.

The finalists for the Doug Read Knockout Cup are due to be settled with the winners of the two semi-finals: St George’s against Hazelbury Bryan and Cattistock against Plush, set to meet on Friday, July 13 at Dorchester Rec to decide the destination of this year’s trophy, last won by Bere Regis.