WIMBORNE & COLEHILL 246-5 (20pts) beat Dorchester 186 (6pts) by 60 runs

A FINE century from Mike Kitson helped send Dorchester crashing to their first defeat of the Dorset Premier League season.

The Wimborne & Colehill batsman plundered 102 after the hosts were left in a spot of danger at 52-3.

And alongside Francis Kerins (45), the duo put on 142 for the fourth wicket, with the league leaders eventually closing on 246-5.

Dorchester started well enough in reply, led by openers Pete Moxom (23) and James Lewis (45), but did not have the necessary firepower to successfully chase down their target.

And captain Martyn Richards, back from a recent knee injury, was left frustrated on his first outing of the campaign.

He said: “We lost the toss and they batted first but we made a great start with James Dunham claiming the wicket of their captain Andy Hayward with the score on 14.

“We were then offered a couple of chances to get Colin Randall out but we didn’t take them and he went on to score 32.

“James claimed the second wicket as well but while we managed to keep them down to a low scoring rate at that point, we couldn’t shift two guys – Francis Kerins and Mike Kitson.

“They came together and compiled 142 for the fourth wicket. They proceeded extremely slowly for 20 overs but when the power play arrived they went from batting conservatively to playing some expansive shots.

“We went from a position at around 34 overs when they were on about 140 to them scoring 100 runs off the remaining overs.

“We didn’t have a lot of luck on our side as some decisions didn’t go our way but 246 was still a gettable score on a fantastic pitch.

“We got off to a great start with Pete Moxom and James Lewis putting on 48 for the first wicket but then Pete was caught behind.

“Ian Sibley then forged a good partnership with James and we were well above the required rate until the 17th over, when James was caught for 45.

“And from there we threw it away. We should have gone on to win it as there were an awful lot of runs out there, but we didn’t make ourselves difficult wickets to claim.

“We can all be held accountable for our wickets as we played some rash shots or were found wanting in our decision making.

“We were beaten by 60 runs and more times than not I would expect that batting line-up to win the game, but we have to say fair play to Wimborne as they had a couple of guys who scored some important runs.

“We really needed someone to put their hand up and take responsibility in the chase. It was a very frustrating afternoon.”

James Dunham was the county town side’s leading light with the leather, returning figures of 3-45, with Moxom (1-19) and Lewis (1-38) also bagging a wicket apiece.

Dorchester will no doubt be hoping for better luck this Saturday when they entertain newly-promoted strugglers Winton, who are still searching for their first win in the top flight.