BERE REGIS 189-6 (20pts) beat SHERBORNE 186 (6pts) by four wickets

BERE Regis secured their opening victory of the new Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League campaign at the first attempt thanks to a four-wicket win over Sherborne at Bere Regis Rec.

Sherborne elected to bat first on a hot day and motored to 116-2 at the first drinks interval as Liam Hancock (21) and Marc Lock (31) backed up the aggressive batting on Emlyn Kuhn (77).

But Bere pulled the visitors back with some fine bowling in the middle of the innings from left-arm seamer Rob Murphy (3-45), who bowled Kuhn, and spinner Dave Griffiths (3-27).

That meant that Sherborne, who were 137-2 at one stage, lost eight wickets for 49 runs as the hosts bowled their north Dorset opponents out for 186.

Chasing 187, Bere made a steady start as Matt King (58no) was assisted by Rob Cole and Dean Rogerson (20).

However, a mid-innings wobble saw Sherborne claw themselves back into the game as Kuhn (2-24) and Tim Durston (2-41) each claimed two wickets.

King continued to bat patiently though and, partnered by captain Rich Cole (44), put on 93 for the sixth wicket before Cole was trapped lbw by David Barnstable three runs short of victory.

The scalp of the home skipper was merely a consolation though, as Bere steered themselves to an impressive result in their season curtain-raiser.

Speaking to Echosport after the clash, Cole paid credit to Murphy and Griffiths, who changed the momentum of the match with some tight bowling.

He said: “From them being 116-2 at drinks we were staring down the barrel, but Dave and Rob dragged it back.

“We weren’t on top form with the bowling but Sherborne helped us out by not really applying themselves. We took our chances and managed to restrict them.”

Cole also hailed King as the opening batsman provided the anchor in Bere’s innings.

“We had a lull in the middle but myself and Matt put on a 90-run partnership. Matt applied himself and made sure that he saw the game through, which showed some players how it should’ve been done.

“He also made sure we were on target with the run-rate – it was a good innings.”

Bere face Stalbridge on Saturday (1pm).

* Bere Regis Seconds 155 (5pts) lost to Cerne Valley Seconds 156-3 (20pts) by seven wickets.