CERNE VALLEY 256-7 (10pts) lost to CATTISTOCK 284-4 (18pts) by 28 runs

CATTISTOCK stretched their unbeaten run to 10 games after a tense 28-run victory over County Division One rivals Cerne Abbas, leaving them 38 points clear of second-placed Compton House.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, stand-in Cattistock captain Jason Bradley was the first to go, failing to keep out a full delivery from Pearce Mercer (1-53).

Billy Wallbridge (15) followed his opening partner after being caught in the slips off Lloyd Mitchem (2-61). Renier Fourie (7) joined Cattistock’s number three Jon Legg at the crease, but the South African failed to reach double figures with the score on 86-3.

Those waiting to bat and the spectators around the boundary were treated to a fantastic partnership between Legg (106) and Steve Tucker (121no) who put on 190 runs for the fourth wicket.

Legg was first to reach three figures before being caught behind in the last over. Tucker’s onslaught of the Cerne bowlers included 19 boundaries as he remained not out at tea and the away side finished on 284-4.

Despite the absence of Cattistock opening bowler and captain Bradley Damen, the return of Oliver Lee (4-33) boosted their bowling line-up and he wasted no time in claiming his first wicket of the season, yorking Mercer (6) in his third over. From the church end Langford (1-27) removed Kellaway (9) thanks to a smart diving catch from Mullins at mid-off.

Cerne’s middle order all played a string of fantastic contributions as George Chubb (65), Simon Walsh (58), Mark Whitmarsh (50) and Simon Green (50) kept the home side interested, but the run rate was always against them and Cattistock were able to pick up vital wickets. Ollie Legg (1-47) held his nerve to remove Walsh and with the return of Lee, Cattistock always felt confident of defending a run rate which kept creeping up despite the flurry of boundaries.

Frustratingly for Cerne none of their middle order could go onto three figures and see their side home falling 28 runs short and an agonisingly one run short of three bonus points.

Speaking after the match Cattistock captain Damen said: “We were always confident of defending 285. We have great options with the ball and make it hard for teams to get off to a good start. Leggy and Tucker batted them out of the game, and although at times we were a bit sloppy in the field, we held our nerve when it counted.”

Damen added: “It was a great advert for village cricket, both teams batted brilliantly and showed some real class, it was a good batting surface.”

Commenting on his side’s position in the table Damen said: “We just need to stay composed and take it a game at a time until the end of the season, we are in a great position but we know we have some tough games coming up.”