DORCHESTER 172-5 (19) beat BOURNEMOUTH 3rds 170-9 by five wickets

DORCHESTER skipper Mark Derrien believes next week's visit to Stalbridge will decide which team will become the early favourites for the Dorset Funeral Plan League Division One title.

The county town side made it three wins out of three against Bournemouth Thirds after suffering an early scare in their reply. Chasing a target of 170, Derrien's men slumped to 99-5 before Steve Gerety (47 not out) put on a man-of-the-match display to turn the tables.

The 36-year-old left-hander, who is in his first season with the club, smashed a wonderful six to get off the mark and ended up sharing a stand of 73 with Quenton Miller (39 not out) to see his side past the winning post.

Speaking after the clash, Derrien said: "We put on a good all-round bowling effort but we did not apply ourselves well with the bat and at one stage were wobbling a bit on 99-5. However, Steve and Quenton then came together and batted superbly to see us comfortably past our target. Steve only batted for nine overs and was outstanding.

"We showed our strength in regards to being able to bat all the way down but the top five should really be scoring much higher than that especially on a good track at home.

"In the end we got there in the 34th over and it was comfortable but we still might have to look at changing the batting order around a bit because we can't keep losing wickets at the start.

"We will keep it the same for next week against Stalbridge but Steve Gerety is doing well at number seven so we might have to look at getting him higher up the order in the near future.

"Stalbridge have won three out of three like us and we will go there full of confidence. I think the winner of that game will be seen as the early season favourites to go on and win it."

Superb spells from opening bowlers Rob Waite (2-29) and Phil Morley (2-28) immediately put pressure on the visitors, who stuttered to 47-4 before Hall (43) set about trying to revive the innings.

The talented middle-order batsman was in fine shape but just when it look liked he was ready to cut loose he holed out to debutant Martin Langford who produced a wonderful catch.

Gerety (2-27), Miller (2-48) and Derrien (1-8) were the other wicket takers but the hosts were unable to finish the job with Bournemouth's last pair surviving a nervous final over.

Dorchester were clearly in command but when openers Ian Sibley (8) and Pete Moxom (6) both lost their wickets in quick succession in reply the away side suddenly had their tails up.

Lee Ames (7), Waite (17) and Martin Richards (27) also came and went without really troubling Bournemouth and at 99-5 the game was in the balance.

Derrien's men were in desperate need for some inspiration and Gerety and Miller provided it with both players producing some brilliant strokes to land their side 19 valuable points.

REC SCOREBOARD

Bournemouth Thirds

Glen c&b Morley 1

Collins c Ames b Waite 21

Williams c&b Morley 19

Smith b Waite 0

Clark c Morley b Derrien 8

Mossers c Sibley b Miller 7

Hall c Langford b Miller 43

Drysdale c Moxom b Gerety 26

Stanniford c&b Gerety 7

Lett not out 16

Sutton not out 1

Extras 19

Total (9wkts, 45overs) 170

FoW: 1-2, 2-35, 3-45, 4-47, 5-65, 6-67, 7-134, 8-150, 9-160

Bowling: Morley 10-2-29-2, Waite 10-4-28-2, Derrien 5-3-8-1, Q Miller 10-0-48-0, Langford 4-0-18-0, Gerety 6-0-27-2

Dorchester

Sibley c b Stanniford 8

Moxom c b Smith 6

Ames c b Stanniford 7

Waite c Smith b Williams 17

Richards c&b Lett 27

Q Miller not out 39

Gerety not out 47

Extras 20

Total (5wkts, 34overs) 172

FoW: 1-14, 2-14, 3-27, 4-63, 5-92

Bowling: Stanniford 10-2-39-2, Smith 8-2-37-1, Lett 3-0-22-1, Drysdale 8-0-33-0, Williams 5-0-38-1