PUDDLETOWN 262-5 (18pts) beat CERNE VALLEY II 183-6 (7pts) by 79 runs

PUDDLETOWN sealed promotion from County Division Four with a comprehensive win over Cerne Valley.

After winning the toss, Puddletown captain Adam Barrett showed no hesitation when electing to bat.

The Puddletown innings started brightly with Alby Stevens (69) and Lucas Allen (41) bringing up the 50 in just six overs.

Just when Puddletown looked on the cusp to run riot, Webb (2-48) and Best (2-49) picked up the wickets of Allen and Stevens respectively, leaving Puddletown on 113-2 after 18 overs.

Hoffman (12) and Crabb (1) then entered and both fell quickly, which saw Barrett (42) come to the crease with the destructive Weir (62no).

The pair got their eyes in and with some lusty blows put on a 78 partnership to take the score past 200. Puddletown finished their innings on 262-5 from 40 overs.

Knowing that the visitors required six wickets to claim the required points for promotion, Weir came running in with the new ball, claiming the wicket of Gough (0) inside the first over.

At the other end, the ever efficient Dave Morris created lots of chances, but as a result of some dropped catches, saw his efforts go unrewarded.

Ben Newton (70) and Matt Porter (38) capitalised on anything short from the bowling of Stevens (0-27) and Hoffman (2-40) however, never really looked like threatening the Puddletown score.

With 10 overs go, Weir returned to the attack, and he picked up his fifth and all-important sixth wicket in his final two overs.

Puddletown’s final game is at home against Shaftesbury today, in a winner-tales-all showdown.