DEWLISH have broken St George’s’ stranglehold on the Dorchester Evening League Division One trophy – winning the title for the first time in their history.

The two sides clashed in back-to-back fixtures with the Saints needing to win both to have any chance of landing a sixth successive crown.

But after defeating Bere Regis two nights previous, last year’s champions saw their hopes dashed in the first meeting between the two rivals.

Batting first, St George’s made 105-8 with Sam Goodhew (52) notching a half-century and Simon Ross (3-17) performing well with the leather for the league leaders.

Mark James (2-33) helped himself to a couple of wickets in reply but it was not enough to prevent Dewlish (107-4) securing victory, and the title, with six wickets in hand.

That meant the second encounter was something of a dead rubber. Nevertheless, the Saints (75-2) hit back to grab some form of consolation against the newly-crowned champions (74-5).

Prior to the double-header, the 2011 runners-up (120-4) saw Goodhew star with both bat and ball against rock-bottom Bere Regis (69-9).

The all-rounder top-scored with 39 before returning impressive figures of 4-11.

Bere’s (116-6) misery was complete with defeat at Cerne Valley (117-2), in which Alex Healey smashed an unbeaten 68 for the winners.

Dewlish (107-3) brought the curtain down on a memorable campaign with victory over Knockout Cup winners Herrison Youth (95-5).

Josh Booth was the leading light for the former, finishing on 43 not out before taking two wickets for the concession of just four runs.

Meanwhile, an Evening League representative side got the better of a Dorchester XI in the annual Doug Read Memorial Game.

The Evening League, led by Dave Griffiths (44 not out), posted 102-6 from their allotted overs and then restricted the county town outfit to 86-6 in reply, with Rich Cole snaring 2-12.

Division One: Cerne Valley 117-2 (Alex Healey 68no, Pete Macklin 3-28) beat Bere Regis 116-6 (Paul Fripp 36, Neil Kellaway 3-19); St George’s 120-4 (Sam Goodhew 39, Gren Elphinstone-Davis 2-25) beat Bere Regis 69-9 (Dean Rogerson 15, Sam Goodhew 4-11); Dewlish 107-4 (Justin Miller 49, Mark James 2-33) beat St George’s 105-8 (Sam Goodhew 52, Simon Ross 3-17); St George’s 75-2 (Colin Edney 35no, Tony Kellaway 2-23) beat Dewlish 74-5 (Tony Kellaway 29no, Ross Baker 2-9); Dewlish 107-3 (Josh Booth 43no, Garry King 1-7) beat Herrison Youth 95-5 (Dave Griffiths 31no, Josh Booth 2-4).

Doug Read Memorial Game: Evening League 102-6 (Dave Griffiths 44no, Rob Waite 2-22) beat Dorchester 86-6 (Marcus Evans 30, Rich Cole 2-12)