BEAMINSTER 60-0 (20pts) beat STALBRIDGE II 59 (0pts) by 10 wickets

BEAMINSTER won their final County Division Two home game in style by comprehensively beating lowly Stalbridge Seconds by 10 wickets at the Memorial Ground.

Home captain Ross Baker won the toss and after being put in, the away team’s top order was blown away by Dave Persey who bowled unchanged and finished with figures of 3-22.

Persey accounted for Jason Forsey (7), the big-hitting Neil Ford (5) and Colin Moore (9) as Stalbridge stumbled to 28-3.

Change bowlers Ross Baker (3-9) and Rich Runyard (4-10) continued the good work as wickets continued to tumble.

Only Eddie Stevens (15) managed to break into double figures, while the visitors could only muster five boundaries in their innings as they were skittled for a paltry 59.

Beaminster’s fielders backed up the bowlers with two catches by Cameron Lucas and further pouches from Dan Spiller, Simon Jones, Will Moss, Lewis Keenan and Baker.

In reply, openers Chris Park (29no) and Baker (26no) made light work of the chase with victory being achieved in the eighth over with a maximum.

Park’s innings comprised five boundaries while Baker hit two four and two maximums.

Speaking to Echosport after the rapid triumph, in which just 34 overs were bowled, Baker believed Beaminster’s performance had been near-perfect.

He said: “It was almost a faultless display and much improved. It helped having three or four senior players back and they all performed well.

“All four bowlers bowled well and hardly bowled a loose delivery. We took seven catches and knocked the runs off comfortably. It was a very satisfying victory.”

He added: “We won the toss and decided to put them in. David bowled really well at the start and the change bowlers kept taking wickets all the way through. It helps when you take your chances.

“We started off well with the bat and kept going. When you’re playing a struggling side you want to assert your authority and that’s what we did.”

The result moves Beaminster officially clear of relegation after Kingston Lacy were also trounced by 10 wickets at the hands of promotion-chasing Witchampton.

Baker said: “The pressure is off now, we know we’re safe and can just enjoy the last two games without pressure and hopefully be competitive.”

Beaminster finish their season with two away games at Witchampton and Weymouth.