DORCHESTER’S Cricket Week once again proved a big success, as a host of players from far and wide visited the county town to take part in the annual event.

ROBINCROFT 167 lost to DORCHESTER 168-5 by five wickets

DORCHESTER kicked off the week with a win in the Phil Mesney Memorial Match, with a five- wicket success against old rivals Robincroft from Derbyshire.

It did not look easy going early on for the hosts however, as openers Reynolds and Herridge put on 75 for the first wicket and, having former county players the Siddall brothers in the hutch, it looked like they would post well above 200.

Dan Belt proved a handful bowling off-spin and picking up 1-20 from 12 overs along with Caldwell and Horne but it was Matt Stevens, playing his first game for Dorchester for two years, who impressed with 2-19 off eight overs as Robincroft lost regular wickets before eventually being bowled out for 167.

In reply, Martyn Richards (18) and Jamie Edwards put on 30 for the first wicket before Richards also put on useful partnerships with Mitchem and Mugridge.

Stevens also impressed with the bat, hitting 37 before getting out and leaving man of the match James Caldwell (46no) to hit the winning runs.

DORSET PREMIER LEAGUE XI 204 beat Dorchester 108 by 96 runs

A HEALTHY crowd watched a strong Dorset Premier League select side defeat the county town outfit but not without giving them a scare early on.

Ed Nichols (Martinstown) anchored the League XI’s effort with a steady 54, also supported by Robinson (38) and Stuart Sweatman 47 (Stalbridge).

The pick of the bowlers for the home side was 16-year-old Will Morgan with 3-13 and George Foot taking 2-36 from 15 overs.

Dorchester got off to a poor start with the bat losing Belt, McKay, Mitchem and Morris all cheaply only for Stuart Beasley, who hit three sixes in a swashbuckling 45 and Ben Macklin (17) to add some respectability to the total.

Sweatman picked up the man-of-the-match award for his 47 and bowling figures of 3-14.

DORCHESTER 176 beat WEST DORSET XI 171 by five runs

DORCHESTER claimed victory from the jaws of defeat after Dan Horne bowled his older brother Pete to claim victory for the home team.

Dorchester’s Josh Foot hit a useful 47 assisted by Martyn Richards (37no) and Nick Roe also contributed with 33.

Will Channon impressed for the opposition with 3-33 along with Backhouse from Abbotsbury claiming 1-34 and Hollely from Beaminster taking 1-32.

In reply, Whisker (Portland), Nichols, White (Weymouth) and Ross Baker (Beaminster) all departed cheaply but contributions from Broadstone’s Simon Goldsack (66), Rendell (34) and Channon (35) almost took them over the line before the exciting end.

Jack Walklett claimed 4-40 and Pete Moxom 2-22 were the pick of the bowlers for Dorchester.