CATTISTOCK 257-8 (20pts) beat SHILLINGSTONE 187 (8pts) by 70 runs

CATTISTOCK recorded their sixth successive victory thanks to a man of the match performance from captain Bradley Damen, who bagged 80 runs before taking 5-38 as Cattistock recorded a 70-run victory in County Division One.

The home side have been docked five points for two late umpire reports, but they still lead the league with 114 points.

Shillingstone bowled first, although overcast conditions meant it would be a tricky start for openers Jason Bradley and Billy Wallbridge.

They made a steady start and helped with some extras they had taken the score past the 50 mark in the 10th over. Wallbridge (30) was starting to open up and push the scoring along when opposition captain Tom House came into the attack and had him caught at slip.

Jonathan Legg (2) fell in the same manner and Cattistock slipped further.

Bradley was the next wicket to fall for 37, he was followed back to the pavilion very next ball by Steve Tucker (0). Liam Toohill (5) followed in the next over off Eddie Moore (3-24) as the hosts hit 90-5.

Ben Golledge (4) and Renier Fourie (10) began rebuilding the innings, but House (4-25) continued down the hill and removed both of them. At 127-7, Bradley Damen and Ollie Legg came together at the crease.

Legg held up his end well and, after a cautious start, Damen began to find the boundary.

The score began to creep up, Damen blasting back to back maximums in the 28th over. Cattistock reached 200 and Damen went to his first half century of the year.

There was now a platform to launch from and the partnership for the eighth wicket passed 100 and had moved on to 119 when Damen was dismissed for a superb 80 off 57 balls containing eight fours and five sixes. Ollie Legg finished the innings with a flurry of runs to end up 44 not out and give Cattistock 257 to defend.

The home team started well with the ball, Damen dismissing the three of the top four with just 44 runs on the board. First change bowlers Jon Legg (0-31) and Renier Fourie (2-33) provided control but wickets were hard to come by.

Ollie Legg (2-33) followed up his performance with the bat by taking two key wickets to swing the tie in favour of the hosts. Fourie returned to take a wicket before Toohill (1-28) had the dangerous Ian Paulley (56) caught behind.

It was then left to Damen (5-38) to mop up the tail and secure the 20 points. Damen only took two balls to oust the final two batsmen, earning himself a five-wicket haul.

Damen said: “This was the first time we’d been in this situation with our batting, the lower order haven’t had to bat often and it was pleasing the see the depth we have available. It was nice to get a few runs myself and Ollie supported me brilliantly.

“We took early wickets again but had to really work hard to remove the middle order. The lads stuck to it and we came away with a good victory.”