WIMBORNE and COLEHILL II 233-9 (18pts) beat BRIDPORT 180-7 (8pts) by 53 runs

BRIDPORT crashed to a shock defeat at the hands of struggling Wimborne and Colehill Seconds in Dorset Funeral Plan Division One.

Paul Tweddle's men failed to find second gear with the bat after the home side's ordinary batting line up set a target of 234 for victory.

And the defeat was an all too familiar story for Bridport, who have now lost their last three matches in almost identical fashion.

They bowled first and after a brisk start by the hosts it was the Brewery Ground outfit that were in control at drinks.

Wimborne were four down for little more than 100 after Kevin Hall had blasted 61 runs in an opening stand of 76.

Three wickets in two overs for Rob Atkins, including the dangerous Hall, swung the momentum in the visitors' favour and they could have expected to bowl their hosts out for under 200.

But dropped catches and some poor fielding by Bridport allowed Chris Dunk to graft his way to 62 and anchor the second-half onslaught.

A partnership of 73 between him and Chris Watkins (36 not out) broke the visitors' resolve.

And despite Pete Russell continuing his good form with 4-32 the West Dorset club failed to stop Wimborne closing on 233-9.

With one short boundary and a batsman-friendly wicket the score was probably no more than par and as Bridport raced to 53 without loss the game was finely poised.

But once again a top order batting collapse ended any hope of an away victory.

Atkins was run out for 22 and then three runs later both Sam Challis (18) and Phil Gisborne were sent packing.

Tweddle and 16-year-old Fred Everitt, heroes of the first day victory at Swanage that now seems a distant memory, launched a brief fight back.

But when they were dismissed, followed by debutant Dave Herbert and Lewis Stripp, the chase was teetering on the edge of disaster at 104-7.

Man of the match Russell and Will Everitt then set about restoring some pride for the visitors and they did so in fine fashion.

The duo added an unbroken 76 for the eighth wicket and ensured Bridport bagged four of the five batting points on offer and denied Wimborne any unnecessary bonus points.

Russell finished unbeaten on 34 and Will Everitt scored 30 not out as they closed on 180-7 in their 45 overs.

But worryingly for Tweddle, his side let a commanding position slip for a third consecutive match and now find themselves languishing in the lower reaches of the table.

scoreboard WIMBORNE and COLEHILL II

Hall b Atkins 61

Dunk lbw b Russell 62

Cole b Atkins 0

Wilton b Atkins 4

Handley b Herring 2

Watkins not out 36

Gilbert lbw b Russell 0

Fenner b W Everitt 0

Turner c Herring b Russell 8

Tare c Challis b Russell 13

Heyes not out 4

Extras 43

Total (9wkts, 45overs) 233

FoW: 1-76, 2-77, 3-84, 4-92, 5-165, 6-165, 7-169, 8-195, 9-223

Bowling: Sherring 10-0-55-0; Atkins 10-2-35-3; Herring 9-1-47-1; Herbert 6-0-37-0; W Everitt 4-0-20-1; Russell 6-0-32-4

BRIDPORT

Atkins run out 22

Challis b Fenner 18

Gisborne b Dunk 0

Tweddle c Cole b Dunk 23

F Everitt b Fenner 5

Herbert st Handley b Turner 6

Stripp run out 7

Russell not out 34

W Everitt not out 30

Extras 35

Total (7wkts, 45overs) 180

FoW: 1-53, 2-56, 3-56, 4-68, 5-87, 6-102, 7-104 Bowling: Tare 10-1-35-0; Heyes 6-0-39-0; Dunk 7-2-25-2; Fenner 10-2-35-2; Gilbert 3-0-14-0; Turner 9-3-22-1