Dorchester THIRDS 134 (4pts) lost to PIMPERNE 138-3 (20pts) by seven wickets

A POOR batting performance on a very friendly wicket proved costly as Dorchester Thirds went down at the hands of fellow promotion hopefuls Pimperne.

An excellent 81 not out from the experienced Ian Davis was the major difference, seeing the visitors home with relative ease.

Dorchester looked in good nick when Jae Miller (43) and George Thomas (18) formed a solid partnership.

But just as both men looked set for big totals, the duo fell in quick succession to leave the hosts on 69-3.

And when Jamie Quinten (5) and Cameron Lucas (0) fell leg before to Andy Kelly (3-19) soon after, Dorchester were struggling on 78-5.

Rhys Cole decided to attack the bowling and smashed a quickfire 23 off 10 balls, but a further two wickets fell for zero runs.

A cameo partnership of 21 was added by 14-year-old debutant Jake Pike (14) and England Disabled International Callum Tucker (8) but the county town outfit were soon all out for 134.

Pimperne’s innings started cautiously against the young Dorchester attack of Pike and 16-year-old Karl Malone.

And Pike claimed his first senior wicket when he had the experienced Kevin Langdown (6) caught by Thomas with the score on 17.

However, Davis and captain Greg Regan (26) added 40 rapid runs before the latter was bowled by his Dorchester counterpart Pete Tucker.

Unfortunately for the hosts, no further wickets were lost until the innings was nearing its end, when Mark Coy (15) was well caught at deep mid on by Miller off Cole’s delivery.

Fittingly it was left to Davis to smash the winning boundary and wind up a fine seven-wicket victory.

Pete Tucker said: “Pimperne are a very good, experienced team and it was a ‘men against boys’ scenario, which is bound to happen at times with a young Dorchester team.

“Pimperne were able to adjust well to batting conditions and it was only Jae Miller and Rhys Cole who did so for us.

“Hopefully the young Dorchester lads will have picked up a few pointers in their cricket education.”

Next up for the county town outfit, who lie fourth in Dorset League Division Five, is Saturday’s derby with second-placed Puddletown at Charlton Down.