DORCHESTER 146 (5pts) lost to WIMBORNE & COLEHILL 206-6 (19pts) by 60 runs

DORCHESTER saw their Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League title push all but condemned as Wimborne & Colehill completed the double over the county town side at the Rec with a 60-run win.

The result means Dorchester, in third, trail the table-topping Minstermen by 37 points with a maximum of 40 available in the final two games of the season.

Wimborne won the toss, electing to bat first, but lost James Miller (7) to the bowling of Josh Richardson (2-67) early on.

A 53-run stand between Mark House (35) and Colin Randall (34) ended when the economical Jack Walklett (1-18) had the latter caught by James Caldwell before Simon Mitchem (1-21) trapped George Bartlett (2) lbw as the visitors reached 70-3.

Caldwell caught House off Walklett but late knocks from Tom Caines (23) and Frank Turrell (54no) pushed Wimborne to 206-6 from 50 overs.

Dorchester fared poorly in reply, Harrison Bowles (3-18) bowling Dan Morris (9), Richardson (0) and Caldwell (10), while Dorset paceman Ed Bartlett (1-38) pinned the dangerous Eral Anderson (4) leg before.

Brother George (3-26) then castled Will McKay (9), Jack Owens (0) and captain James Dunham (0) to leave Dorchester in peril at 65-8.

However, a superb unbeaten 64 from Simon Mitchem and a useful 23 from Walklett restored some respectability to the scoreline, before the hosts were cleaned up for 146.

Speaking to Echosport after the contest, Dunham felt the Minstermen had simply been the better team.

He said: “Wimborne were stronger on the day. We bowled very well and fielded very well. If I’m honest we looked at the score and thought it was just below average.

“It was a very good contest, the first half of the game. Jack and Simon bowled very well but it was the batting that let us down. We lost our main batsmen early for not many.”

With his side’s title challenge effectively over, Dunham remained in positive mood.

He said: “To be in contention of winning the Premier League, the Shroton (cancellation) has played a big part.

“However, we’ve lost twice to Wimborne so actually you’ve got to take your hat off. They’re a good side and a lot more experienced than we are.

“We’re still a young side that’s growing. We’ve come a long way in the last two years. We’re a good enough side to win the league this year and there’s plenty more to come in the next few years.”

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