DORCHESTER 197-6 (8) lost to POOLE TOWN 199-8 (18) by 2 wickets

SIMON Mitchem was "extremely proud" of his Dorchester charges after they came out second best in a nerve-racking encounter with Poole.

The visitors sealed victory off the penultimate ball of the match to condemn Mitchem’s men to a fourth defeat in five this season.

But the county town skipper could not find fault with the home side’s all-round performance, while he praised their ability to push the reigning Dorset Premier League champions so close.

“Dan Belt and Quenton Miller batted really well, it was a pleasure to watch,” he said. “Dan scored 60-odd and Quenton got a half-century, and we thought 197 was a defendable total.

“We also bowled and fielded very well so to lose with one ball left was really hard to take.

“The last two weeks have been tough because we’ve put in a couple of really good performances and come away with two losses.

“We could have won both of those games and I am extremely proud of the way we played on Saturday – we deserved more.”

He added: “We pushed a very experienced Poole team all the way, and I think their experience and know-how got them over the line.

“We’ve got quite a young side so we’ve got to take the positives from the game.

"The last fortnight has been disheartening but we have played some good cricket, and if we keep playing like we are then I’m sure the results will pick up.”

Despite dislocating a thumb the previous week, James Dunham was able to start Saturday’s clash at Dorchester Rec.

After losing the toss and being asked to bat first, county town openers Marcus Evans (28) and Will Caldwell made a decent start before they both fell with the score on 38.

However, Miller (55) and Belt (62) put on 110 for the third wicket and then Mitchem (19 not out) produced his own cameo to take the total towards 200.

In reply, Poole looked like they were in trouble on 53-5 as Belt (2-32), Mitchem (2-24) and Dunham (2-50) applied the pressure.

But a partnership of 102 between Dave Miller (51) and Tom Robinson (45) swung the match back in Poole’s favour.

The home side managed to claim three more wickets, though tail-enders Jamie Thomas and Jem Hai did just enough to secure victory.

Meanwhile, in County Division Three, Dorchester Seconds lost to Wimborne & Colehill Thirds by five wickets.