THE chase for the Division One title got under way last week with St George’s setting out to retain the Read Woodruff Dorchester and District Evening Cricket League title with a comprehensive victory over Bere Regis, who never got going against tight bowling.

Jamie Barrett returned symmetrical figures of three wickets for three runs in three overs, before Matt King and Matt Randell then easily knocked off the required total for a 10-wicket win.

Dewlish skipper Dan Belt‘s 55 not out led his team to 153-3, which proved far too much for Martinstown, who subsided to just 67, the wickets being shared among all bowlers.

Cattistock were also clear winners after a flurry of runs at the end of their innings set a target of 138 which Puddletown never got near, thanks to Bradley Damen’s 4-28, leaving Cattistock with a 49-run win.

Cattistock now have two wins out of two and head the early listings.

In Division Two the Rec’s derby game saw Dorchester Casuals rack up 150-6 against Cosmos, Rhys Cole top scoring with 65.

In reply, Cosmos were never up with the rate needed, leaving Casuals victors by 41 runs.

The early pace-setters in Division Three are Puddletown Seconds.

Dave Morris with three wickets for two runs in two overs and Chris Clarke with 3-6 in two saw them demolish Dorchester Colts, with no batsman reaching double figures in their 37 all out, this proving no obstacle as Puddletown completed their third win of the season.

Charlton Down Seconds completed two games, but unfortunately both ended in defeat.

Frampton’s batsmen showed good application reaching 126-4 with four of them passing 20, then James Pretty’s 2-14 restricted Charlton Down to 71-6.

Cattistock Seconds set Charlton Down a target of 123 after Ryan White and Harry Angel both reached 30.

Roger Frapwell with 53 and Jack Eveleigh with 20 offered hope but they had no support as I Tucker’s 3-22 and Howard Legg’s parsimonious conceding of just four runs in three overs left them 16 runs short.

It is notable that every team in Division Three now has at least one win, Puddletown Reserves being out in front with their three victories.

Dorchester Casuals have two wins out of two in Division Two while Cattistock have two out of two in the top league.