Puddletown rock Hamworthy with huge win

PUDDLETOWN stormed to a fifth County Division One victory in six games in their top-of-the-table clash with Hamworthy Rec at Plush.

Adam Barrett’s men now have a 30-point lead over Witchampton and Stalbridge in joint-second, following their enormous 145-run victory.

After winning the toss, Barrett chose to bat but Puddletown’s batsmen battened down the hatches in the opening exchanges, with openers Rob Snow (11) and Chaldecott (34) besieged by a fine opening salvo from bowlers Ryan Kelly (0-26) and Elliot Dawson (0-10).

Snow’s stoic resistance was brought prematurely to an end by a Toby Berry (2-23) full toss which was sent straight to Jacob Berry.

Chaldecott’s fine vigil was also brought to an abrupt end by Toby Berry, in this case on the last ball before drinks, as a horrible swipe across the line reduced Puddletown to 58-2.

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This brought in-form James Mitchell (55) and Barrett to the crease, both tasked with the vital job of both rebuilding and pushing up the scoring rate.

Barrett (29) ably supported Mitchell, who after a difficult start against spinners Zack Basey (0-43) and Finlay Gordon (0-60), played some elegant front-foot shots to move the game along merrily, setting a base for the middle order.

Reaching his 50 off a typically decorous drive, Mitchell departed moments later, unable to capitalise on a gift of a short delivery served up by Nathan Peters (3-48).

The cock-a-hoop response from Hamworthy indicated the importance of the wicket.

Adam Weir duly trotted out to the wicket for the final 15 overs, as both a collapse and a good score were in the offering.

However, despite brilliant fielding throughout, it was to be the latter for the hapless Hamworthy.

Puddletown have a 30-point lead at the top of County Division One Picture: DORSET CRICKET BOARD

The fielders watched on powerlessly as Weir, supported by the lower middle order, pulled, drove and cut his way to a swashbuckling 50 at a strike rate of 161, carving five boundaries and four maximums.

Puddletown closed on 225-7 to set an achievable score of 226 amid the small confines of the idyllic Plush ground.

Unfortunately for Hamworthy, their batting innings was a non-event.

Struggling against Weir and the unerring accuracy of Morris (4-35), only Jack Satterley (18) was able to offer any resistance to the sanguine Puddletown attack.

Morris excised four early wickets with laser-like precision, working telepathically with his field from the outset.

Craig Eastment, for example, taking three superb catches at mid-wicket, and Reegan Norman typically alert to any opportunity behind the stumps.

All that remained was for first-change speedster Ryan Norman (3-23) and left-arm spinner Snow (3-9) to finish the job, with Hamworthy bowled out for a paltry 80, handing a maximum 20 points to Puddle.

Speaking to Echosport, Barrett was delighted with the performance and the result.

He said: “It was another excellent all-round team performance with almost everyone contributing with either the bat or ball.

“Callum batted really well opening which helped us set a good foundation, and then Mitch and Weir were both absolute class again finding boundary after boundary.

“With the ball, it was great to see veteran seamer Dave Morris pick up an important four wickets.

“He has been bowling really well this season without getting much luck, so it was great to see things come together.

“After Dave had done most of the damage, Snowy and Ryan both completed the job finishing with three wickets apiece.

“We just need to continue moving forwards one game at a time and see where it takes us.”

In County Division Five, Puddletown Seconds beat Weymouth Seconds by 123 runs.

Puddletown’s firsts visit Marnhull on Saturday (1.30pm).

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