WIMBORNE & COLEHILL III 142 (6pts) lost BEAMINSTER 144-8 (18pts) by two wickets

PROMOTED Beaminster finished their 2017 campaign on a high after winning their final County Division Three game of the season at Colehill by two wickets.

Stand-in skipper Chris Park’s men cemented the second promotion spot behind champions Charlton Down, holding off the challenge of Dorchester Seconds in third, who had to scratch their final match away at Kingston Lacy.

Hosts Wimborne won the toss and decided to bat with opening pair Fred Pennell (24) and Nick Kiernan (24) forming a positive partnership by scoring freely as opening bowlers Dave Persey (0-24) and Ben Hollely (0-33) struggled for consistency.

However, first change bowler Simon Jones (4-7) bowled a superb spell, dismissing the top four batsmen as Beaminster gained control.

Jones removed Pennell, Kiernan, Rob Pilato (4) and David Hills (7) and, in tandem with Pete Bustin (4-15) runs were difficult to score and wickets fell at regular intervals.

Bustin’s four-for came after he removed the entire middle order, accounting for Richard Preston (16), captain Tim Bartlett (1), Sam Fooks (0) and John Ridout (12).

After the slow start, Beaminster were delighted to bowl out Wimborne for just 142 in the 39th over, with Park (1-19) and a run out ending the hosts’ innings.

Beaminster’s fielding was sharp as Will Murley, Chris Park and Leo Gurd all held onto catches, plus a run out for Ben Hollely.

In Beaminster’s reply, wickets continued to fall quickly as the visitors were reduced to 41-5.

Hills (5-27) went one better than Jones in ousting Beaminster’s top five batsmen, with Park (10), Leo Gurd (15), William Murley (1), Jones (1) Lewis Keenan (0) all falling to the Wimborne opening bowler.

However, an important 62-run partnership between Dan Spiller (51no) and Dave Persey (39) calmed the visitors’ nerves.

Despite Persey, Oliver James (0) and Bustin (0) losing their wickets late on, Beaminster reached their target in the 32nd over as Ben Hollely finished unbeaten on 14 to help Spiller get his side over the line.

The victory was Beaminster’s ninth win in 10 games, not accounting for two rain cancelled matches, and rounded off a season that has seen them charge up the leaderboard to gain promotion to County Division Two.

Ross Baker’s men will have the task of taking on demoted Weymouth plus Wimborne and Colehill Seconds next season, while restoring their rivalry with Charlton Down.

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