BEAMINSTER 142 (4pts) lost to Martinstown 146-2 (20pts) by eight wickets

A LACK of support for Simon Jones cost Beaminster dear as they went down to an eight-wicket defeat against Martinstown at Memorial Field in Dorset League Division Two.

Jones came in at number three and produced a wonderful unbeaten innings of 68 but no one was able to stick with him as the hosts fell for 142 all out, handing their opponents a comfortable run chase.

Martinstown took just 28.4 overs to knock off the required runs with Lee House (47) and Henry Lewis (77 not out) starring in a fine all-round team display, which also saw Matt Camp (4-40), Liam Banfield (2-34) and Danny Way (3-16) all impress with the ball.

Beaminster skipper Will Everitt, whose side are still searching for their first win, said: “We won the toss and chose to bat.

“Simon put on another great performance but unfortunately he was unable to find a partner to stay with him at the crease for long enough.

“After losing two early wickets, we never got a partnership going of any kind and although Martinstown bowled well, we felt we really should have done better.

“We were hoping for a total in the region of 220-260 to bowl at so to get nowhere near that was disappointing.

“Nevertheless, we tried hard in the field and got our tails up with an early wicket.

“However, their batsmen then dug in and played some good strokes and were sensible too.

“It was always going to be a hard task and there is no doubt we are still a bit rusty.

“Having said that though, we remain upbeat and believe some hard work in the nets is sure to bring some rhythm and winning ways back to the club.”

This was only Beaminster’s second game of the campaign after losing their first two to the weather.

Everitt will no doubt be hoping for better fortunes this Saturday when his men travel to Christchurch, who are also still winless.