BERE REGIS 149-9 (18pts) beat STALBRIDGE 144 (9pts) by one wicket

BERE Regis emerged victorious from a nail-biting finale against Stalbridge at Bere Regis Rec to take their fourth Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League win in five games.

Having won the toss to bat first in good conditions, Stalbridge lost Stuart Sweatman (12) with just 34 runs on the board as the economical Matt King (1-15) claimed a fine caught and bowled.

First-change bowler Rich Payne (2-29) twice struck to remove George Coleman (13) and Jordan Edmonds (12), but even at 108-3 there was no sign of what proved to be an imminent collapse.

Mainstay James Lewis (66) watched on as two run outs and a fine display from David Griffiths (4-21) enabled Bere to snare the final seven wickets for just 36 runs.

Bere made a poor start to their chase of 145 as veteran seamer Steve Forshaw (3-18) bagged the wickets of Payne (1), King (8) and Jacob Kennard (0) for 19-3.

In another flurry of wickets, Simon Sweatman (4-29) proceeded to oust Rob Murphy (19), Griffiths (1), Tim Goodhew (16) and Garry King (1) as Bere crumbled from 50-3 to 63-7.

However, a superb counter-attacking knock from Crispin Brown (57) off 34 balls, supported by Rich Cole (11), revived Bere until both men fell to spinners Ollie Legg (1-24) and Andy Dike (1-25) respectively.

It was left to Bradley Moss (7no) and Brian Keegan (10no) to nervelessly guide their side home with a wicket to spare.

Speaking to Echosport after the game, captain Cole felt the game had been a near repeat of the reverse fixture, in which Bere lost having bowled Stalbridge out for 130.

He said: “It felt like it was a carbon copy, but Crispin had a fantastic innings to play us out of a tricky situation and win from almost certain defeat. I’m really pleased, it was really positive.

“We were just trying to tick it off and get to a position where we could launch ourselves at the final line.

“It’s important to enjoy it when you’re in these positions – we know we’ve got some tough games coming up. It’s always nice to be on the winning side in these tight games.

“We’ll still keep focused and not get carried away.”

Commenting on his side’s bowling, Cole added: “We managed to restrict them really well. I thought Matt’s bowling was really economical and Dave was lucky to get his 4-21!”

Bere now sit fifth, level with Martinstown on 143 points.

n Bere Regis Seconds 257-6 (20pts) beat Weymouth Seconds 134 (6) by 123 runs

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830990

e: neil.walton

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @EchoSportNeil