BERE REGIS 122 (16pts) beat SHROTON 96 (5pts) by 26 runs

BERE Regis collected a first victory since mid-July in a low-scoring Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League 26-run win over Shroton at Bere Regis Rec.

Rich Cole’s men last triumphed with a 70-run victory against Martinstown, four games ago.

With heavy rain in midweek, Shroton unsurprisingly utilised the uncontested toss rule to field first and immediately had their hosts in trouble.

Matt Pike (3-14) was Bere’s chief tormentor, removing Rich Payne and Rob Murphy for ducks while Sam Pike (2-19) struck twice as Bere fell to 35-4.

It was left to Dave Griffiths (32) and Cole (20) to lead the home side into triple figures, aided by 38 extras, before Alan Wooldridge (3-30) accounted for both men.

Bere eventually made 122 all out from 44.1 overs as Shroton seemed poised for victory.

That was until a storming bowling performance from Bere, the catalyst for which was Matt King (2-22) ousting openers Matthew Hewitt (5) and Raymond Rose (12).

Sean Walbridge continued his tremendous form with the leather, snaring 5-23 to take his tally of wickets to the season for 33 – the third-highest in Dorset this year.

Spirited batting from Wooldridge (24) threatened to take the game away from Bere, but once Murphy (3-13) had the all-rounder caught, Bere sailed to victory.

Speaking to Echosport, Cole felt the difference between the sides had been Shroton’s tally of extras.

He said: “Shroton gave us 37 wides and we only bowled five – that was probably the difference between the two teams on what was a really sticky wicket up front. When they bowled wides it took the pressure off.

“It was counter-attacking batting from me and Dave to take the game to Shroton. It put them on the back foot because they were enjoying a good spell of bowling.

“It was quite obvious that they were using their fourth and fifth bowlers. We managed to score relatively quick runs and it was a good little partnership. You could tell the momentum had swung.

“That said, at tea time, 122 all out you’d have probably put the money on Shroton to win.”

Commenting on Walbridge’s effort with the ball, Cole said: “He had two spells. He picked up the crucial wicket of (Marc) Doble who was looking positive.

“He bowled it in the right place. All credit to Sean, he deserved his five-for. It was good control with Matt and Rob. They tidied it up really well at the end.”

Elsewhere, Bere Regis Seconds saw their County Division Five clash at Blandford Seconds cancelled due to rain.

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