SHILLINGSTONE 159-9 (2pts) lost to DORCHESTER 160-1 (19pts) by nine wickets

DORCHESTER obliterated Shillingstone in the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League as Dan Belt hit a magnificent unbeaten century to help record a nine-wicket win.

Belt’s innings of 117 included 15 fours and five maximums as Shillingstone, already relegated, were pummelled in 18.4 overs.

Shillingstone had won the toss and elected to bat first on a hot day in North Dorset, but with Dorchester’s bowling firepower their expansive openers found it tough going and Robin Cunningham (2) was first to perish to James Dunham (2-24).

Tom House (20) and Nick Baker (21) consolidated and created a 49-run stand for the second wicket until Dorchester broke through with Dunham and Simon Mitchem (1-16) striking to leave the hosts on 52-3.

Spinner Jack Walklett (2-40) then picked up a brace, bowling both James Woodruff (6) and Chris Cole (16) as Shillingstone stuttered to 78-5.

Paceman Josh Richardson (3-37) also made inroads into the home order, ousting Matthew Trehy (1) and Michael Angell (0), but a Steve Savage half-century frustrated the visitors’ progress.

When Richardson finally got Savage (51), Shillingstone were 141-8 but Dorchester could only take one more wicket as spinner George Foot (1-30), who had opened the bowling, removed Bob Edwards (12).

Shillingstone’s effort of 159-9 from 50 overs always looked too small a total, but they could not have expected to be back in the pavilion after less than 19 overs as Belt ran riot.

The former Dorset man was in relentless mood, carting the home attack to all parts of the ground.

Along with Ben Macklin (31), promoted to open, Belt put on 153 for the first wicket until Macklin was stumped off Angell (1-1) with Dorchester needing just seven runs for victory, which they duly completed with ease.

Shillingstone’s bowling figures made for sorry reading, Edwards (0-34) being the most expensive from just two costly overs.

Speaking to Echosport after the game, club captain Mitchem described Belt’s innings as “brilliant”.

He said: “Dan was in one of those moods where everything was coming off. It was a brilliant hundred. He was really well supported by Ben who I thought batted well until he lost his head for a second.

“It shows Dan’s still there and it was nice to see him wrap up the win so convincingly. Hopefully we’ll build on this next year. We proved that we can do it, we just need to do it more often.”

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