CRANBORNE 205 (13pts) tied with Dorchester SECONDS 205-7 (15pts)

MIKE Peak and Colin Edney were the leading lights for Dorchester Seconds in their enthralling tie with high-flying Cranborne at the Rec.

The visitors won the toss and chose to bat but the county town outfit were soon making headway with Peak (4-24) producing a stunning spell to rip out four of the top five.

Unfortunately, the one big wicket he had failed to snare was Oli Hand (92), whose fine knock saved his side’s innings before Rob Beacham (20) and Jamie Bundy (22 not out) added crucial runs to take the tally to 205.

Skipper Stuart Beasley (3-54) and spin-king Aaron Oliver (3-51) also bowled well for the hosts but after such a long time in the field in hot conditions, they knew the run chase was going to be far from straightforward.

Edney (85) put on a masterclass at the top of the order and with Beasley (23) and Peak (35) also chipping in Dorchester slowly edged towards their target despite the efforts of Bundy (2-17) and Charlie Arnold (3-63).

The home side eventually drew level with their opponents in the final over to complete a terrific day’s cricket.

Beasley said: “After losing the toss on a very hot day we knew we were in for a tough time in the field.

“Mike and I opened the bowling but we went from a good start to disaster when Mike pulled a muscle in his leg.

“Many people would have gone off but he stayed on the field and Aaron took up the mantle and carried on from where he had left off the previous week by bowling tight lines and taking three wickets.

“Unfortunately, our wicket-keeper Lewis Chutter then went down with a bad knee and had to be carried off with Rhys Cole taking on the gloves.

“With one player off and one struggling to move, the lads were a credit as they stuck to what they had to do and fielded with all their heart and souls.

“With very little bowling options, Krish Subramanian and Dom Royal bowled with very little luck from the bottom end before I managed to remove the last two wickets but not before their number 11 had taken a liking to my bowling, smacking 20 off just two overs.

“With Lewis not able to bat it was down to Colin to join Ian Legg as an opener and he did not disappoint, hitting a fantastic 85.

“Myself and Mike, batting with injury, then managed to chip in and the other lads tried to help with what they could.

“Considering everything that happened it was a great game and a fair result on the day.”

Dorchester are still unbeaten in Dorset League Division Two but so are Cranborne, who currently top the table.