BEAMINSTER 149-8 (18pts) beat CHARLTON DOWN 145 (6pts) by two wickets

BEAMINSTER responded superbly to last week’s 10-wicket defeat to Blandford as they defeated old rivals Charlton Down by two wickets in a hard-fought County Division Two derby game at the Memorial Ground.

After losing the toss, the home team bowled and fielded superbly to restrict Charlton Down to 145.

Openers Dave Persey (2-35) and Simon Jones (1-9) set the tone by dismissing Roger Frapwell and Matt Stevens for ducks, applying pressure through numerous good deliveries.

The good work was continued by change bowlers Aidey Phillips (4-49) and Ross Baker (1-28), who claimed the crucial wicket of Sam Roles (7) as Beaminster took control of the game.

However, some inspired batting from Charlton Down youngster Kieran Heath (33) ensured respectability before Will Moss (2-18) took the last two wickets.

On a challenging surface with variable bounce, Beaminster lost two early wickets before tea as Nick David (0) and Jones (5) fell victim to Dan (2-34) and Matt Stevens (2-19).

The Stevens brothers both bowled well but Baker (38) and Ali Crawford (23) battled to form a crucial partnership.

James Pretty’s fine 3-33 introduced Lewis Keenan to the crease and the young ace played a superb innings of 43 not out to guide his team to a gritty victory.

Speaking to Echosport after the clash, home skipper Baker hailed his side’s reply to the Blandford thrashing.

He said: “It was a good response.

“This week was a lot better and really important against a good Charlton Down side who we haven’t had much luck against in the past. It was really good to get a victory.”

But Baker reserved particular praise for Phillips and Keenan, adding: “All five bowlers kept it tight and Aidey bowled a really important spell.

“We took our catches and they never really got away from us apart from a late order partnership.

“We were always confident of chasing that target.

“Lewis has had a couple of weeks off and he looked refreshed, which was good to see. He’s been a bit short of runs and confidence.

“Hopefully that will give him the confidence he needs for the rest of the season and he can go on a bit of a run.”

Beaminster remain in sixth and extend the gap to seventh-placed Charlton Down to 30 points ahead of a trip to Cranborne on Saturday (1.30pm).

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