DORCHESTER 145-5 (18pts) beat BERE REGIS 144-6 (5pts) by five wickets

FIVE was the magic number for Dorchester as the county town side earned their fifth win in as many games against Bere Regis with a five-wicket success at Dorchester Rec.

In their previous four outings against the current Dorset Premier League champions, Bere have been dismissed for under 200 on each occasion.

While the visitors did put up more of a fight on this occasion, Dorchester still had enough in reserve over their rivals.

Both teams had come into this Dorset ‘Thanks You NHS’ League Division One derby clash after resounding victories, Dorchester thrashing Sherborne and Bere rattling through Portland.

In scorching conditions, Dorchester made a blistering start with the ball, reducing Bere to 15-3 as the visitors were left to fear another sub-par total against their hosts.

James Caldwell (2-15) removed Rich Payne (1) and Sam Goodhew (3) either side of captain James Dunham (1-36) ousting Rob Murphy (0).

Matt King (32) and Tim Goodhew dug in against the formidable Dorchester attack to build a 54 partnership until King lofted a catch off Jamie Barrett (1-24).

But Goodhew ploughed on, hitting seven fours and a six before being run out for a well-constructed 56 just after Bere had passed 100.

It was left to Rich Cole (20) and Dave Griffiths (17no) to push Bere to a chaseable 144-6 from 40 overs.

Sure enough, Dorchester began briskly with new signing Scott Peach (18) cracking four boundaries before King (1-23) had the former Walsall batsman caught.

Evergreen Jim Ryall (21) steadily built with Seb Carty but was trapped by the wily Sean Walbridge (1-16) as Dorchester set the platform at 71-2.

Carty (42no) found an able ally in Simon Mitchem (35) and the duo compiled a stand of 64 for the third wicket to go within 10 runs of victory.

Bere then hit a purple patch as Griffiths (2-4) prised out Mitchem and Eral Anderson (0) either side of Caldwell (0) falling to Rogerson.

Dorchester were now 136-5 but Carty and Barrett (8no) eased their side home to preserve their unbeaten start to the coronavirus-shortened season.

“We made the first four-and-a-half hours look comfortable and the last 10 minutes look a bit nervy,” Dunham told Echosport.

“I backed us bowling first, even when we lost the toss. It does help when you have three early wickets before the spinners come on – they bowled very well.

“James Caldwell opened up again and took a couple of wickets and we fielded well with two run outs.

“We didn’t bowl their side out but to restrict them to under 150 is a testament to how we dealt with the 40 overs.”

Dunham admitted losing a cluster of wickets near the end of his side’s chase had taken some gloss off the win, but remained “very happy” with the outcome.

He said: “Cruising for only two down was great but to lose a few wickets? We’ll learn from that. It happens, it’s cricket.

“We’ve still won the game and we’re very happy. We’ve played very well and everyone performed.

“Credit to Seb, he batted well and glued the innings together.”

In defeat, Bere Regis skipper Brian Keegan surveyed the positives.

He said: “There was a bit more fight there but from our perspective we didn’t get enough runs.

“If we’d added 30 I’m not saying we would’ve won but I don’t think we would’ve been that far away.

“To be fair to them, they bowled to a plan and bowled to their field. We then recovered through Tim but (before) he got run out in the 32nd over we were looking at 170, 180.

“We made 144-6 off 40 and they batted well early doors. They were well ahead of the rate.

“From there, we pulled it back through the spinners. Sean bowled well with 1-16 and Dave came on and took 2-4.

“It was the slow bowlers that pulled it back. It was just that we didn’t have enough runs on the board and they played well.”

He added: “Yes, we lost. It’s a small step for us in the right direction. It’s going to take time.

“It’s more batting mentality and not losing wickets too early. We were 15-3 but we’ve been in that position before and not even competed, just rolled over and the opposition has wiped the floor with us.

“Their batsmen occupied the crease, which we need to learn a lesson from.”

Elsewhere, Bere Regis Seconds took a comfortable seven-wicket victory at home to Portland Red Triangle Seconds.

Dave Adkins top-scored with 40 for Portland but Jason Gale’s 4-46 restricted the islanders to 153 all out.

Cian Evans then cracked 55 as Bere romped home.

Dorchester Seconds also won by seven wickets after bowling out Chalke Valley for 119.

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