CATTISTOCK 207-7 (6pts) lost to DORCHESTER SECONDS 211-2 (18pts) by 8 wickets

AN unbroken stand of 170 between Pete Phillips and Rhys Cole took Dorchester to a third win on the bounce in Dorset League Division Three.

The victory moved the county town side to within one point of third-placed Cattistock ahead of Saturday’s trip to leaders Cerne Valley.

The hosts won the toss and chose to field with Dan Floyd and Pete Horne opening the bowling.

And it was the latter that got the breakthrough with only 22 on the board when the Cattistock captain looped one to Josh Foot at point.

Cattistock then added 101 before Dorchester got the next wicket with Martin Langford hitting a full toss to Chris Clarke at mid off for the first of two wickets for Foot.

Twelve runs later Foot claimed his second victim when the Cattistock opener hit the ball straight to Aaron Oliver at mid on.

At the end of their 45 overs the visitors finished on 207-7 which to the home side seemed a below-par score.

Philips again joined Colin Edney at the crease as Dorchester went about trying to score the 208 needed for the win.

And the duo put on 36 before Edney mistimed a shot and was caught for 21 then Chris Clarke came and went to a very good ball for one.

This brought Cole to the crease in his first game of the season – and what an introduction it was.

Phillips finished on 95 not out and Cole unbeaten on 79 to complete a fantastic triumph against a team that were lying second in the standings going into the fixture.

“It was very pleasing to see Pete bounce back from last week’s duck and also great to have Rhys back and start off with a great score,” said Dorchester captain Stuart Beasley.

“Next we face top of the league Cerne Valley and again with them being local we know some of their players and they can be dangerous.

“But we will play our best and hopefully get some decent points and the win.”