WINTON 243-8 (20pts) beat DORCHESTER 164 (7pts) by 79 runs

DAN Belt has conceded that his Dorchester team must start rebuilding for next season after the county town side were all but condemned to relegation on Saturday.

A 79-run reverse at home to Winton leaves Dorchester with a virtually impossible task of staying in the Premier League now, and it was their batting, their Achilles heel all summer, which let them down again at the Rec.

Winton’s last pair helped take their total to 243-8 batting first and that proved to be more than enough as Dorchester were bowled out for 164.

Speaking to Echosport after the match, a disappointed Belt said: “It’s not looking good for us now.

“I think it has got to that point where we have to look at rebuilding for next year.

“It’s a big blow for the club but it has happened before and they have come back from it within a year or two.

“And maybe being relegated isn’t such a bad thing because with a lot of young players in our squad it could give them the chance to gain more experience and confidence.

“From now on it’s about rebuilding the team and the club and planning for the future.”

Winton didn’t make the best of starts to their innings with Charlie May being caught by Pete Moxom off Belt for just eight.

Opener John Duke made 21 before he was clean bowled by Moxom, however, danger man Mike Kitson continued where he left off against Weymouth.

He had smashed his way to 60 when Dan Morris knocked his stumps over but Adam Willard (38) and Matt Clark (33) took the score past the 150 mark.

Joe Power snapped up two wickets, including that of visiting skipper Ally Williams for 14, and at that stage Winton were 217-8.

But tail-ender Luke Phillips went after the home attack and his unbeaten 38 was a big psychological blow to Dorchester.

Despite losing Moxom for nine, Marcus Evans (29) and Sam Goodhew (30) put on 63 for the second wicket but after that no-one could go on and make a telling score.

Pete Diffey, Stuart Voss, Joe Power and James Dunham all reached double figures but the hosts lost wickets in clusters and there was no way back.

“It was one of those days again and we had hardly any players to call on,” added Belt. “We didn’t bowl or field too badly and at one point we were looking to bowl them out for 200.

“Maybe some decisions went against us when we batted but there were some bad shots played and it was a poor batting display from us.

“We didn’t really have any experience to choose from and that is where we have struggled all year – I don’t think I’ve been able to pick the same team two games running.

“Sam and Marcus played really well for 30 and 29 but, again, we didn’t have anyone that could go on and get those extra runs.

“We just want to finish the season as strongly as we can and get three wins from our last three games, starting at Weymouth.”