THE weather was again the big winner last week with yet more postponements and more challenges for the Read Woodruff Dorchester & District Evening League umpires’ secretary to arrange for officials at every game.

In games that were played, Division Two side Cosmos took part in two very close games but unfortunately just lost both.

Cerne Valley’s openers gave them an excellent start, reaching 56 without loss, but Richard Burdett’s 3-23 restricted the total to 108-7.

Cosmos went so close to their first success of the season with Sam Greening (37) leading the way.

But once he was run out, they could not quite make it, losing by just three runs.

Believe it or not, they went even closer against Hazelbury Bryan.

Chris Haynes, with 44, helped Hazelbury to 104-8, Sohail Dalvi taking 3-20.

Burdett shone with the bat this time, his 31 not out including three sixes, but L Holman with 3-13 kept Cosmos in check and the reintroduction of M Lewis for 3-13 at the end, left Cosmos agonisingly two runs short this time.

They are getting closer to that win.

A couple of catch-up games to mention saw Hazelbury Bryan win one and lose one.

They beat Plush by 13 runs, M Perett scoring 41 not out and M Lewis taking 2-17 in his four overs, but lost to Cerne Valley as Alex Hedley’s 50 and 48 not out from James Elwood led Cerne home by eight wickets.

In the top division, Dewlish proved too good on the day for Martinstown. George Pope batted well for Martinstown with 40 in their total of 130, Simon Ross being the most parsimonious bowler, conceding just 17 from his four overs.

Tom Hewish (57no) and Joshua Booth (40) then led Dewlish to an eight-wicket win with four overs to spare.

Puddletown Reserves got their Division Three title push back on track with a comfortable victory over Dorchester Colts.

Michael Crabb with 42 helped them set 140, a target which Colts never really challenged, Steven Chaldecott with 2-9 and Alan Fairman 2-8 keeping them down to 67.

Winfrith seemed to have done well against Cattistock Seconds with Ashley Hayes (35) and J Goldsack (48no) leading them to 102-3.

Bradley Mullins bowled tightly, conceding just four runs in his overs and he then led Cattistock’s batting with 44 as they triumphed by six wickets.

Charlton Down’s batsmen were grateful for 29 extras and 26 from Henry Dipple as they survived good bowling from Neil Garbutt (3-22) to reach 122-7.

Manoj Somaratne continued his good batting form with 39 to set New Look up for the pursuit but Ian Jones came on to devastate their batting with six victims, all bowled, as New Look collapsed to 67 all out.

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