BROADSTONE 183-8 (18pts) beat DORCHESTER 138ao (6pts) by 55 runs

DORCHESTER crashed to their first defeat of the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League season after succumbing by 55 runs to 2017 champions Broadstone at Delph Woods.

After an uncontested toss, Dorchester elected to bowl first and halted Broadstone at 44-1 with the prize wicket of 2018 top-scorer Luke Carter (18), who was castled by Dan Belt (1-32).

Jamie Barrett (3-27) chipped in with three quick wickets to rock the Delph side at 58-4 before fifties for James Park (50) and Pete Russell (57no) steadied the ship.

Josh Richardson (3-41) bowled Park and, alongside a fabulous spell from Jack Walklett (0-23) helped restrict the hosts to 183-8 from 50 overs on a notoriously high-scoring ground.

Dorchester’s bowlers had paved the way for victory but the county town side lost wickets at regular intervals in their reply, stumbling to 78-8 with only opener Jim Ryall (22) and Simon Mitchem (19) making any impression.

Ashley Collison (4-37) did the damage for the hosts and, despite a flurry of late boundaries from skipper James Dunham (19no), Nick Roe (24) and Jack Walklett (10) Dorchester were well beaten.

Speaking to Echosport, Dunham admitted Dorchester had been pleased to chase such a low total before a poor batting display.

He said: “I feel that we bowled and fielded very well as a unit with the economy rates of our bowlers and the way we slowed down their run rate.

“Our bowlers bowled well and we held onto our catches – the first half of the game was brilliant.

“I felt we were always in control of the game in the first 50 overs and probably before the game we would’ve taken chasing 184, especially as we didn’t bowl them out.

“To restrict them to 180 at the Delph at tea we were relatively happy.

“The second innings the game completely turned. Other than the last 15-20 minutes of the game they were always in charge. We lost wickets in clumps and we just didn’t kick on.”

Reflecting further, Dunham added: “I’m not completely worried, it’s the second game of the year.

“We’ve had Wimborne and Broadstone in the first two games – two big challenges. It is what it is. It’s the second week of May so it’s still a long, long season ahead.

“It’s going to be an interesting league this year and we can only keep doing what we’re doing. We’re very much enjoying our cricket.

“The whole club environment’s great.”