SWANAGE slipped back to the foot of the Dorset Premier League following a heavy defeat at the hands of high-flying Dorchester.

Chasing Dorchester’s 250 for eight at the Rec, Swanage were rolled over for 92 as the hosts sealed victory by 158 runs.

Swanage picked up just four bonus points – two fewer than fellow strugglers Sherborne who lost at Martinstown – with a solitary point separating the two teams who meet on August 18.

Swanage made an encouraging start with Mike Hernandez (2-63) bowling Dorchester opener Quenton Miller for a duck second ball.

A stand of 53 for the second wicket between Dan Morris and Simon Mitchem (26) was broken when Mitchem edged Steve Kent (1-35) to wicketkeeper Phil Eades.

Dorchester began to gain the upper hand with Eral Anderson (33) and Dan Belt (27) both sharing partnerships with Morris.

Morris’s knock was crowned with a century from 134 balls until he became Hernandez’s second victim having made 110.

Ryan Norman (3-50) returned to pick up three wickets from his second spell as Dorchester posted a formidable target.

In reply, Dorchester opening pair Belt (2-20) and James Dunham (5-25) ran through Swanage’s top and middle order to leave them reeling at 48 for seven.

Only Craig Wells (23) and Hernandez (26) got past 20 as Swanage crashed to a ninth defeat of the season.