DORCHESTER SECONDS 182 (10pts) lost to POOLE TOWN THIRDS 194-7 (19pts) by 12 runs

DESPITE a valiant effort from Mike Peak, Dorchester fell to a narrow defeat in a thrilling match against Poole Town Thirds at the Rec.

Fielding first, Dorchester restricted Poole to 194-7 with Will Morgan the pick of the bowlers.

In reply, Peak batted with purpose, scoring 72 but the rest of the hosts struggled as they fell just 12 runs short of their total.

Dorchester started well taking two early wickets and had Poole 20-2. Karthik Subramanian (44) rode his luck and Scott Thompson (37) put on 76 for the third wicket.

Poole then put together a useful partnership of 47 for the fifth wicket and 44 for the seventh wicket with Rob Hellawell particularly effective out off the final ball of the innings for a very useful 44.

Along with Morgan, Nathan Quinn bowled well for his 2-44 off nine overs.

Peak chipped in with a wicket and Habib Wardak also took two scalps.

In reply, the hosts started well with both Malcolm Stroudley (19) and Martyn Richards (24) looking well set putting on 37 for the first wicket.

Richards was first man out falling to the change of bowling of Chris Nutt having seen off the opening bowlers.

Steve Clifford was out shortly afterwards. Stroudley and Mike Peak took the score up to 65 before Stroudley was well caught, one of three wickets for Nick Heckford.

The home side then lost a couple of wickets leaving them on 94-5. However, Ben Macklin came to the crease and he and Peak put on 51 for the sixth wicket taking the score to 145. Peak was seventh out for a battling 72 and despite some good hitting from the remaining batsmen, Dorchester fell 12 runs short.