THIS week saw three batsmen reaching the nineties but all were frustrated by the limited number of overs available this early in the year as none completed the century.

The first round of the Doug Read Cup is almost finished, with Martinstown completing their expected victory over New Look.

Sam Kershaw’s unbeaten 97 and Sean Williams’ 59 not out set a target of 173 which was too much for New Look, who gamely finished on 85-4.

The game between Hazelbury Bryan and Cerne Valley was even more one-sided, Jamie Hart taking 3-3 off two overs and Piers Griffith-Jones doing even better with 3-1 off one over as Hazelbury won by nine wickets.

Division One saw Sam Baker’s 95 not out help Cattistock to 159-2 with Bradley Damen’s tight bowling restricting Dewlish to 126, despite Tom Hewish’s unbeaten 61.

Abbotsbury easily beat Cosmos in Division Two as Neil Walton took 3-10. Cosmos sensed hope when Abbotsbury lost their first wicket for none, but Simon Mitchem (35no) and Kieron Womble (27no) led the Swans to a nine-wicket victory.

There was much action and excitement in Division Three, with three games going right to the wire. New Look gained their first win, Paul Chatterton with 66 and 2-10 inspiring a one-run win despite Nathan Quinn’s 40 for Dorchester Colts. Colts themselves pulled off a last-ball win against Charlton Down Seconds, Oliver Osborne (54no) leading the way.

Ashley Hayes starred for Winfrith as his 54 not out and 2-8 set Puddletown Rugby Club 114 to win, which they just did thanks largely to Jim Ross with 54.

Puddletown Reserves were rather more comfortable winners of their two games. Michael Crabb with an unbeaten 91 led them to 146-2 against Frampton, who could only muster 124 in reply and Crabb was again leading scorer with 47 as Puddletown’s 123-4 proved too good for Rugby Club, James Morris taking 3-12 as Puddletown won by 71 runs.