CREWKERNE 224-7 (20pts) beat Dorchester THIRDS 158 (7pts) by 64 runs

DORCHESTER’S unbeaten start in Dorset League Division Five North & West came to an end with a 64-run defeat against a very strong and experienced Crewkerne first team.

The young Dorchester side, featuring eight players under the age of 16, found the extreme heat of fielding first very challenging and numerous drinks stops were required.

The Crewkerne innings started briskly with openers Tom Briggs (44) and Rob James (46) putting together a partnership of 89 in only 15 overs before Briggs played across the line to Dan Morris and was leg before.

Pete Tucker’s medium pace and Cameron Lucas’ leg-spin stemmed the run flow and the reintroduction of Pete Horne brought the end to Neil Keylock leg before for 15 with the score on 124-2.

Two quick wickets for Lucas was then followed by Tucker’s key dismissal of dangerous opener James for 46 as Crewkerne suddenly found themselves pegged back on 153-3.

Thirteen-year-old Matt Stevens also bowled a really good spell during the game especially his first five overs, which only conceded 21 runs.

Unfortunately, as the young Dorchester team wilted in the sun, the strong Crewkerne tail took full advantage and plundered 71 runs from the last 10 overs to post an impressive target of 224-7. In reply, openers Lucas and Morris produced some sizzling entertainment with 50 runs coming in the first seven overs.

Morris was particularly brutal continually straight driving to the mid off and cover boundary before he was bowled by Culpitt for 28, which included six fours.

Ex-North Perrott captain Tom Briggs then turned to spin bowlers Mark Culpitt (4-46) and Rob James (4-19) to stem the flow of runs and the pair wreaked havoc aided by some brilliant fielding.

Special mention must be made of Lucas’ (50) innings, firstly getting off to a flying start but then keeping a cool head as wickets fell at regular intervals at the other end.

Dorchester’s innings eventually closed on 158 with Rob Deadman being last man out after being caught for seven.

Captain Tucker said: “We were well beaten in the end by the strongest team I have come across in the five years of running the young third team. They would have given our second team a good game.

“Despite the defeat, I was so impressed with the young lads during various points of the game.

“All the bowlers equipped themselves well and will learn from playing in the heat and against some very good batsmen.”