DORSET INDIANS (POOLE) 168 (19pts) beat BRIDPORT 115 (7pts) by 53 runs

BRIDPORT slipped to their first defeat of the season in Dorset County Division Four as they fell 53 runs short against Dorset Indians.

With their contest against Pimperne abandoned due to the weather on the opening weekend, skipper Duane Gay elected to bowl first a week later on a pitch he thought could be treacherous to bat on.

He said: “It was one of those wickets that was very green and had not been cut. I won the toss and thought I would chuck them in because the pitch could have done anything.

“We bowled first and had them something like 16-3. We had them in real trouble.”

But following Bridport’s early breakthroughs the home side managed to rebuild their innings and then go on the attack to post a competitive total of 168.

“They had a couple of batsmen that just threw everything at it and it came off for them,” Gay added.

“We had a couple of dropped catches and they got the rub of the green.”

In reply, the captain was quickly in at number three as Bridport lost an early wicket.

And despite his best efforts with a well-constructed 52, his side were powerless to stop the hosts bowling them out for 115.

And it doesn’t get much easier for Bridport, who visit in-form Swanage Seconds this Saturday.

They currently top the division after two victories, and bowled Pimperne out for just 30 last weekend.

On the Swans, the Bridport skipper added: “I haven’t played against them for three of four years but I have heard some good things about them.

“I know they have a couple of really handy batsmen and good bowlers. We haven’t got the strongest of teams for Saturday but if one of our batsmen goes out there and gets a big score we could win it.”

Bridport will be without opening bowler Guy Kerr this weekend.

The club are also looking for more players to join them this season. They train on Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm at Bridport Leisure Centre.