CATTISTOCK & SYMENE 107 (1pt) lost to DORCHESTER 108-1 (20pts) by nine wickets

DORCHESTER coasted to a nine-wicket victory at winless Cattistock & Symene to extend their Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League lead to 17 points.

James Dunham’s men edged ahead of Martinstown by a further point after Town comprehensively beat Wimborne & Colehill by nine wickets.

The result leaves Dorchester handily placed with a home game at Christchurch on Saturday marking the halfway point in their season.

Dorchy’s fifth win of the campaign was based on a destructive bowling performance which reduced the Foxes to 58-9 before the hosts rallied to reach 107 all out.

After winning the toss and batting, Cattistock were in all sorts of trouble at 0-3 as Dan Belt (3-22) and Dunham (3-23) bulldozed through the top order.

Jason Bradley, Ben Golledge and Billy Wallbridge all got ducks before a counter-attacking 14 from eight balls by Liam Toohill finally got the hosts rolling.

READ MORE: Devon Derrien smashes 130 for Dorchester Thirds

However, when Belt dismissed the Foxes’ number four, Dunham chipped in with the wickets of Ollie Legg (0) and Sam Baker (8) to leave Cattistock reeling on 30-6.

Jack Owens (3-32) then tore through the tail end, rustling the timbers of Leo Gurd (8), Foxes’ skipper Brad Damen (6) and Bradley Mullins (8) as Cattistock hobbled to 58-9.

Showing their fighting spirit, the Foxes were propelled into three figures by a brave last-wicket stand of 49 between Thomas Stewart (30no) and Ethan Robertson.

Stewart’s unbeaten 30 in 30 balls contained six fours but when Simon Mitchem (1-15) removed Robertson (12) Dorchester had just 108 to chase.

Their reply duly got off to a flier when Owens and Jim Ryall (23) roared to 80-0 before Stewart (1-23) trapped the latter leg before.

Owens carted eight fours and a six in an impressive 42 not out and the finishing touches were applied by Eral Anderson (12no) as Dorchester serenely hunted down maximum points in just 16 overs.

Dunham told Echosport: “We lost the toss – we wanted to bat first – but we were happy with either, and we got off to a great start.

“Not just taking wickets but starving them of runs. We took regular wickets and when you get through their top five or six extremely early it’s always beneficial.

“Credit to their number 10 and 11, they put on 49 together to get over 100, but we were very happy at halfway.”

On his side’s rapid chase, Dunham added: “All three, Jim, Jack and Eral, batted really well – especially the top two.

“It was good to see Jack score some runs again. He’s dropped down the order the last few weeks but opened up again and took his chance.”

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