FLYING START: New signing Dan Belt is congratulated after taking a Blandford wicket with his first ball
BLANDFORD 128 all out (2pts) lost to DORCHESTER 129-1 (25pts) by nine wickets
DORCHESTER made a winning return to the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League in emphatic fashion with a nine-wicket success at home to Blandford.
With three new bowlers in the county town ranks it was Phil Morley, one of last season's Division One regulars, who took the limelight as Dorchester dismissed the visitors' batting order for just 128.
Debutant Lee Haynes then stepped up to the plate, reaching his half-century off a mere 46 balls, to steer Martyn Richards' side to victory.
Skipper Richards said: "We got off to the best possible start with Dan Belt taking a wicket off the first ball of the innings and removing one of their danger men.
"All the guys bowled really well especially Phil Morley who took four wickets, and it's very pleasing because he was part of our promotion winning side of last year.
"Shannon Dunnett and Adam Iyer bowled economical spells and with Lee Haynes hitting 67 with the bat it was pleasing to see the three off them get off to great starts with Dorchester.
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"Sherborne, unfortunately for them, went straight back down after going up to the Premier League and we're keen to win as many games as quickly as possible so that we're safe in this division and then hopefully push on from there and see what we can achieve.
"It's great to get 25 points on the board in the first week of the season, it will have surprised a few people but it's really positive for us."
Blandford won the toss and batted first. After Belt's storming start, it took 56 Blandford runs for the next wicket to fall, which came courtesy of Morley (4-20).
Rob Waite (2-34), Dunnett (1-22) and Iyer (1-28) all chipped away at the visitors' middle order until Belt took his second victim of the day in the form of S Robbins who hit a valiant 37 to steady the Blandford ship.
Morley's double then ended the away side's innings with just 128 on the board.
Haynes (67) showed no mercy and made quick work of catching the required target alongside Pete Moxom (33) before the latter was caught by A Day.
But former Weymouth all-rounder Belt (12) carried the momentum on as he and Haynes reached the match-winning total with ease.
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