DORCHESTER 86-2 (19pts) beat POOLE TOWN 157 (3pts) by eight wickets (D/L method)

DORCHESTER escaped the clutches of bad weather to beat title rivals Poole Town by eight wickets in a rain-affected Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League tussle at the Rec.

Victory hands skipper James Dunham’s men a rare double over Town, who lost by 26 runs in the reverse fixture. Poole slip to third after the loss, eight points behind Dorchester, now in second, with five games remaining.

Dorchester had set up the triumph with another outstanding bowling performance, a feature of many of their wins this season.

After winning the toss and bowling, Dunham (1-29) bowled Joseph Smith-Walker (4), before Dan Belt (1-23) castled Ciaran Quinn (1) to leave Poole on 25-2.

Badrul Alam (37) rebuilt with Tom Robinson (9) but the former’s wicket was sandwiched between a brace for Simon Mitchem (2-34), who also ousted Lewis Marais (5) to leave Poole on 64-5.

Jack Walklett (2-15) claimed the key scalp of David Miller (14) before late hitting from Ian Musselwhite (32) and Joe Wormington (24) was halted by Josh Richardson’s fine 4-22.

After being bowled out for 157, Dorchester galloped to 51-0 off nine overs, with Dan Morris (28) lashing six fours.

However, James Kirk (1-24) removed the opener before Wormington, the leading wicket-taker in Dorset, claimed his 30th victim of the season when trapping Mitchem (9) lbw.

At 80-2, a thunderous downpour caused a one-hour stoppage and, upon the resumption, Dorchester required a further five runs via the Duckworth-Lewis method, which they easily gathered as Will Caldwell (31no) finished unbeaten.

Speaking to Echosport following the crucial win, Dunham felt Dorchester had “applied pressure” on Poole.

He said: “I don’t think anyone can remember the last time we’ve done the double over Poole. To get 39 points against a side that’s up there at the top of the league shows where we are as a club.

“Me and Dan (Belt) opened up and it was more about containment. We applied pressure throughout their innings and took some great catches.

“Josh Richardson got a four-for – a good effort from Richy.

“We needed five to win after the rain delay – that shows how good our opening stand was. Dan Morris got us off to a flyer and Will played the anchor role and saw us home, it was great to see.”

*Dorchester Seconds 246-8 (7pts) lost to Ashmore 209-5 (19pts) by five wickets (D/L method)

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