STALBRIDGE 218-8 (6pts) lost to Dorchester 220-2 (19pts) by eight wickets

A SUPERB 162-run partnership between Pete Moxom and Dan Belt led Dorchester to an emphatic eight-wicket victory over Stalbridge at the Rec.

The county town side had their work cut out when the visitors, helped by Luke Webb’s unbeaten century, closed on 218-8 after being inserted by home skipper Martyn Richards.

But opening bastman Moxom (83no) and all-rounder Belt (93no) put on a masterclass with the willow to see Dorchester over the line in devastating fashion.

Richards, who snared two wickets himself, was full of praise for the match-winning duo.

He said: “To see Pete and Dan knock the runs off in that style was quite surreal. Whether setting a total or chasing one, partnerships are key and the fact that they were both batting so well really made easy work of what wasn’t a bad target that had been set.

“They had the right approach of hitting each ball on its merits. They put some bad balls away and there were some bludgeoning sixes, which was great to see.

“Pete showed what a player he can be – we all know he’s got the talent – while Dan is a different class to a lot of cricketers around.”

Reflecting on his side’s third success of the Dorset Premier League campaign, the captain added: “We’re absolutely thrilled. We wanted to bowl first and put them under a bit of pressure with the new ball, as we have done in the past, and I thought we’d be better chasing a target.

“We would have hoped to restrict them to a lesser total than 218 but although we dropped a point in only getting 19, the victory was so emphatic that we’re absolutely delighted.

“To knock them off with 13.1 overs to spare was beyond our expectations. It was a really good team performance.

“James Dunham did well with the new ball while Xenon Ellis, who took a crucial wicket in Rob Burfitt to help swing the game in our favour, was perhaps the pick of our bowlers.

“Although it must be said that Phil Morley bowled a fantastic early spell.”

Richards invited Stalbridge to bat after winning the toss and his choice looked a wise one when the visitors were reduced to 13-3, with Phil Morley (2-8) and Dan Belt (1-6) among the wickets.

However, Webb (102no) proved a more stubborn opponent and after Xenon Ellis (2-58) had Rob Burfitt (15) caught behind, Webb and Simon Miles (41) put on an impressive sixth-wicket stand of 110.

Richards (2-26) though, eventually brought the partnership to an end by clean bowling the latter.

Stalbridge then lost two further wickets for just two runs before Andy Dike (24no) helped see out the remaining overs alongside the ever-present Webb.

The hosts may have felt somewhat anxious when opening batsman Steve Gerety (17) and first replacement Dave Maslen (8) failed to make a huge impression on the scoreboard.

But Moxom and Belt came to the rescue with a stunning display that included its fair share of big-hitting sixes.