CATTISTOCK 286-7 (20pts) bt COMPTON HOUSE 269 by 19 runs

CATTISTOCK claimed narrow 19-run win against Compton House, giving them their eighth successive victory in County Division One.

This was thanks to a 145-run partnership between Jonathan Legg and Liam Toohill which puts them 34 points ahead of second-placed Weymouth.

After an uncontested toss, both Cattistock openers soon found themselves back in the pavilion, when Jason Bradley (1) was run out and Billy Wallbridge (1) was caught inside the first few overs.

At 18-2, Compton House’s Mike Harper put the pressure on the batsman, conceding just 18 runs from his nine overs. The home side were made to work hard in the blistering heat for their runs.

However, with the opening bowlers carefully negotiated Legg (84) and Toohill (74) began to move the score along.

The score passed 100 and both batsmen found the boundary regularly. Toohill brought up his half-century first, from 49 balls, although he was then the next wicket to fall, bringing to an end a marvellous stand of 145 for the third wicket.

When Legg fell 16 short of his 100 the home side had built a strong platform that enabled the middle order to finish the innings with a flourish, Steve Tucker (27) and Renier Fourie (25) helped Cattistock reach 286-7 at tea.

Cattitsock were wary of the power in Compton’s line up, and this showed as their innings started well and continued to pick up momentum with 286 looking to be par on a good wicket. Damen (2-62) removed the dangerous Harper (28) thanks to a smart low catch by Ollie Legg, while Langford (2-48) claimed Jake Bunday (16) and Chris Haynes (17).

However, the pressure soon mounted on the home side thanks to two large partnerships. Sridhar Ramakrishnan (48) and Mike Kennedy (66) got the total to 141-4, and when Price (38) joined Kennedy to put on an 80-run stand the target was only 67 runs away with both batsman finding the boundaries easily.

Despite some good control from Brad Mullins (0-20) and Ollie Legg (0-26), Cattistock needed wickets.

Damen introduced Toohill (2-21), who answered his captain’s requests by removing Price and breaking the partnership.

Damen then brought himself back on at the Chilfrome Lane End and removed the set Kennedy with a fine yorker. Toohill continued to keep the runs down from the Church End and Jonathan Legg (3-43) finished off the innings which left Compton a tantalising 17 runs short.

After the game Cattistock captain Damen said: “It was a great game of cricket, they are such a good side, so to pick up 20 points was a real bonus. Leggy and Liam batted superbly, it was real classy knock from Liam and Leggy kept the scoreboard ticking over.”

Damen continued: “We knew it was going to be tight, we couldn’t build sustained pressure and Kennedy batted brilliantly and looked like he would see his side home, but we’ve got good options with the ball and that showed when it really mattered.”

Damen finished: “It was just a great game played in a great spirit between the two sides. I know a wins a win, but when you have to work hard against a good team I think the lads can be that extra bit proud of their performance.”