Salmon sinks Beaminster (From Dorset Echo)

Salmon sinks Beaminster

9:31am Monday 29th August 2011 in Cricket By Ky Capel

SWANAGE 278-9 (20pts) beat BEAMINSTER 72 (4pts) by 206 runs NOT even a final-day fifer from skipper Ross Baker could stop high-flying Swan-age, as relegated Beaminster crumbled at the hands of the Dorset League Division Two champions.

Mike Salmon (136) was the star man for the table-toppers as his superb century helped Swanage post a commanding total of 278-9 from their 45 overs.

However, towards the end of the innings a heavy downpour brought an early break for tea and left the wicket extremely wet ahead of Beaminster’s reply.

Batting was to prove extremely difficult in the damp conditions and the visitors, who could only name two first-team regulars, were simply unable to cope – eventually being skittled for a meagre 72.

Captain Baker, who returned figures of 5-75, said: “We won the toss and elected to field. Nick Hollely (1-66) bowled an excellent first over and cleaned bowled Mike Nash (1) with a beauty.

“However, 123 runs were made before we took another wicket as runs flowed at a healthy rate.

“Off-spinner Nick David (3-52) then took three wickets as we tried to stem the flow.

“But Salmon was hitting the ball hard to all parts of the ground as he compiled a brilliant century.

“I returned and eventually had him caught for 136 but with just five overs remaining the heavens opened and we were forced off the field for an early tea.

“When play resumed, I took another four wickets as Swanage finished on an imposing 278.

“The wicket was now extremely wet and made batting very difficult. Our innings never really got going as only two players made double figures.

“Nick David top-scored with 21 but the rest struggled with the moving ball and variable bounce. And we were shot out for just 72 as Swanage finished their promotion-winning season on a high.”

In the wake of their demotion, Beaminster will now look to regroup and plot an immediate return to Division Two.