CATTISTOCK 250-4 (19pts) beat BROADSTONE II 224-9 (7pts) by 26 runs

LEADERS Cattistock continued their charge at the top of County Division One with a 26-run victory over bottom side Broadstone Seconds.

Broadstone bowled first after an uncontested toss and forced the Foxes into a poor start when Jason Bradley (4) was caught behind off Owen Parkin (1-16) in the first over. 

Jon Legg and Billy Wallbridge then put on a good partnership of 99 until the latter (28) departed. 
Legg continued to cruise along, untroubled by the bowling and picking up 14 boundaries for a classy first century of the season. 

An explosion from Legg (119no) and Renier Fourie (30no) in the final five overs saw 59 runs scored and Cattistock post a par score of 250-4.

A bowling attack that was already without Martin Langford and Liam Toohill was dealt a further blow as captain and the division’s leading wicket-taker Brad Damen was injured during his second over and had to leave the field. 

Sam Baker (3-55) made the first breakthrough and Brad Mullins (1-44) followed suit to reduce the visitors to 47-2. 

Simon Leadbetter (93no) maintained the charge and the home side worked hard to keep the run rate down. 

Spinners Ollie Legg (3-11) and Jon Legg (0-8) were introduced and the scoring ground to a halt. 

Jon Legg bowled five maidens in a row but it was younger brother Ollie who made the breakthrough. 

His brilliant spell of four overs, four maidens and three wickets reduced Broadstone to 103-5 as the dangerous Alex Warren (7) was well held by Jason Bradley before the off-spinner clean bowled his next two victims. 

Leadbetter remained firm at the crease but Wallbridge (1-56) picked up the next wicket and then Baker returned, picking up two wickets in consecutive balls. 
Wicketkeeper Steve Tucker then rounded off the victory with a run-out off the final ball.

Vice-captain Jason Bradley said: “Our innings was well paced, a watchful start left us in a great position for an explosive finish which was perfect for Renier. 

“Leggy batted brilliantly. When you have someone who can anchor an innings like that it makes it easy for the guys coming in around him to score runs.

“It was unfortunate for us to lose Brad so early and we hope he recovers quickly. The rest of the lads did well to keep at it. 

“It wasn’t easy limiting their runs with a fielder down. The Leggs bowled really well, they had good control and really swung the game back in our favour. 

“Once they had finished their spells the opposition were almost out of the chase. Sam and Billy did well in the closing overs as Broadstone made one final push for the total.”