STURMINSTER MARSHALL 231-9 (9pts) lost to PUDDLETOWN 233-8 (19pts) by two wickets

PUDDLETOWN maintained their assault on the County Division Three title race with a two-wicket win over Sturminster Marshall.

The Villagers’ fifth victory in succession sees them close on leaders Shaftesbury after their emphatic eight-wicket success over Sherborne Seconds yielded only 18 points.

Sturminster won the toss and elected to bat first on a very dry pitch with a quick and small outfield.

Marshall’s openers Mark Woods (72) and Henry Lockwood (70) put on a chanceless opening stand of 153 capitalising on some loose bowling from the off-colour Mike Hoffman (0-28), as well as playing some fine shots through the leg side against Lucas Allen (0-23).

Away captain Adam Barrett, shuffling his hand from the previous nine matches, used Adam Weir (2-31) as a first change bowler and was rewarded with some tight bowling.

It was, however, seasoned seamer Steve Chaldecott (1-27) that turned the game with the wicket of Lockwood.

At this point, Puddletown turned the screw on their opponents.

Chaldecott and Chris Eastment (4-39) stemmed the flow of runs while picking up regular wickets as the promotion-pushers ran through Sturminster’s lower order with Eastment picking up the coveted demographic hat-trick.

Only Mike Royles (27) showed further resistance to Puddletown’s counter attack.

After tea, Puddletown’s reply started at a rapid rate, and all of the first five batsmen effectively got themselves in and contributed valuable runs, but unfortunately were not able to remain to score the big innings required.

Youngsters Alby Stevens (34), Chris Clarke (36) and Weir (32) hit some fine boundaries on a deteriorating pitch but were pegged back by mercurial bowling from Lockwood (1-36) and Helen Maitland (1-53).

Woods (2-25) also claimed the big wicket of Barrett (21). Nonetheless, all of them helped in chasing down the runs required, but Chris Eastment came in at number six, and rounded off a fine all-round performance, batting resolutely, to top score with 38.

Despite disappointment for the normally flamboyant Hoffman (0) thanks to pinpoint bowling from Will Gage (2-46), Eastment found solace in a partnership with the ever reliable Dave Morris (13).

The duo helped to secure an important win, maintaining the challenge on leaders Shaftesbury, who now sit just eight points ahead of Barrett’s men.

Puddletown face Sherborne Seconds at home on Saturday (1.30pm), while Shaftesbury travel to Dorchester Seconds.