WIMBORNE & COLEHILL 189-4 (19pts) beat BERE REGIS 185-8 (6pts) by six wickets

BERE Regis were denied a third win in succession as Wimborne & Colehill took a convincing six-wicket victory at the Leaze.

Ben Bridgen proved the match-winner for the Minstermen with a stunning unbeaten 113 – although the opener was twice dropped.

Despite the defeat, Bere keep fourth place in the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League and are seven points behind Sherborne in third.

Bere captain Brian Keegan won the toss and chose to bat on a surface renowned for big totals.

However, the Wimborne attack stifled in-form Matt King (17), who was bowled by Martin Barker (1-35) shortly after Rich Cole (2) perished to Lewis Freak (2-30).

Bridgen (2-30) then sent the fluent Rich Payne (27) and Rob Murphy (7) back to the pavilion as Bere reached 60-4.

New men Tim Goodhew (13) and Cameron Robertson (11) both made good starts, only for Richard Clarke (2-29) to claim both their wickets as Bere stuttered to 99-6.

READ MORE: Martinstown bowled out for 98 - but almost win

The visitors were indebted to Dave Griffiths (32) and Sam Goodhew (45no) for crucial late runs as their partnership of 79 boosted Bere to 185-8 from their 45 overs.

In reply, the returning Crispin Brown (1-22) picked up the key wicket of Colin Randall (4) but Bridgen then began to take the game away from Bere.

Wimborne’s opener raced along to 81 by the time Mark House (25) was bowled by Sean Walbridge (2-36).

Bridgen hit 12 fours and a six to bring him to the brink of a century before Walbridge ousted Freak (16).

Needing a single, Bridgen worked Sam Goodhew (0-35) away to register his ton to rapturous applause from his teammates.

With the scores tied, James Miller (17) was a late victim of Murphy (1-31) but Bridgen fittingly had the final say, hitting Tim Goodhew for four to end the game.

Speaking to Echosport, Keegan said: “When we batted, we didn’t get any sort of partnership in the top six.

“In hindsight, we needed to put on 220, 230 at a minimum. That would’ve created a little bit of extra pressure.

“Sam and Dave batted really well and Rich batted all right early doors. To be fair, their two opening bowlers kept it tight and didn’t allow us that start we needed.”

On Bridgen’s innings, Keegan added: “We dropped him twice and it was around about the 40, 50 run mark.

“If you don’t take your chances, he keeps going and he got his ton, deservedly so. He used the facilities very well, punished anything that was loose.

“They got there quite comfortably in the end.”

In County Division Four, Bere Regis Seconds beat Poole Town Thirds by 67 runs.

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