PUDDLETOWN Reserves fell to Martinstown in the semi-finals, denying Puddletown a first team against reserves contest in the final of the Doug Read Cup.

The first semi-final saw Puddletown’s first 11 featured in a good game against Cattistock.

Lucas Allen with 47 and Alby Stevens (27) gave Puddletown an excellent start but they were pegged back by the Cattistock bowlers.

Renier Fourie took four wickets for 20, Ollie Legg claimed 2-28 and Billy Walbridge managed 2-22 which kept the target to 122.

In the Cattistock innings no one really got on top of tight bowling from Puddletown; Adam Weir conceded only 13 runs, Michael Hoffman 18 and Ryan Norman came out with the best return of four for 17.

For Cattistock, Steven Tucker‘s 20 with the bat and 20 wides kept the target in sight but in the end Puddletown were triumphant by 10 runs.

Many of Monday’s victorious team were in attendance at Weymouth Avenue Rec for the second semi-final.

This saw Puddletown Reserves face Martinstown in an attempt to make history by completing a Puddletown shut-out of the final.

Martinstown however, had other ideas and their bowlers kept an extremely tight rein on the Puddletown batsmen. Chris Read conceded only 10 runs from his four overs, George Pope 15 from his and Nathan McNab was equally parsimonious.

Only Chris Eastment managed to exceed 20 as Puddletown could post only 87 from their allocation of overs.

George Pope then proved himself no slouch with the bat either, hitting 52 not out.

His opening partner, Sean Williams was also undefeated with 27 as Martinstown completed a comprehensive and rapid 10-wicket victory.

Martinstown will now have to cope with Puddletown firsts in the Doug Read Knockout Cup Final to be held again at the Rec on Friday, July 12 (6.30pm).