COMPTON HOUSE 206-8 (8pts) lost to PUDDLETOWN 229-7 (19pts) by 23 runs

PUDDLETOWN continued their march towards the County Division One title with a 23-run victory at struggling Compton House.

Adam Barrett’s men have now won nine of 10 games this season – the only blemish on their record a rained-off game at Weymouth.

Puddletown once again defied the odds in this game, with Compton House significantly strengthened compared to previous weeks and having lost the toss with poor weather lurking.

House put Puddletown into bat but the visitors had all the answers as Rob Snow – the surprise batting package of Puddletown’s season – and Matt Porter accumulated runs without fuss.

The duo took Puddle to 97-0 before Porter (39) offered a return catch to Giles Reynolds (1-5).

READ MORE: Ruthless Puddletown bowl Witches out for 50

Dan Biddiscombe (2-41) removed the key duo of James Mitchell (10) and Adam Weir (35) to leave Puddletown on 168-3, which became 169-4 when Ryan Norman (0) was bowled by Joe Watts (1-27).

All the while, Snow (94) was scoring heavily but fell desperately short of his century when Pat Reynolds (2-46) disturbed his stumps.

Barrett (29) then added late runs to help Puddletown post 229-7 from 40 overs.

In reply, House made good progress to 60-1 despite the early loss of Rory Stewart-Richardson (1) to Dave Morris (1-35).

Momentum changed in Puddletown’s favour when Steve Chaldecott (3-13) took three of five quick wickets to fall, capturing big-hitting trio Jon Franke (30), Chris Haynes (3) and Pat Reynolds (0).

Joe Watts (45) and Alfie Reynolds (42) each hit three fours and a six in a stirring fightback for the hosts until the former fell to Weir (1-43).

Puddletown had just about stemmed the flow of runs but Biddiscombe (28no) and Giles Reynolds (16no) kept them honest late on, eventually unable to prevent a 23-run loss.

Speaking to Echosport, Barrett was delighted with the performance against a strengthened Compton House side.

“The side they put out was completely different to the one we played at the start of the season. The batsmen just kept coming and coming so the game was in the balance until the last couple of overs.

“We batted really well after losing the toss. Snowy played brilliantly for his 94 and the lads were gutted he didn’t get to his hundred. He was backed up well by Matt Porter and Weir to take us to a competitive 229.

“In the field and with the ball, everyone played their part to help us keep on top. We took wickets regularly which stopped the flow of runs, and credit for the lads for recording another impressive victory.”

Elsewhere, Puddletown Seconds beat Marnhull Thirds by 44 runs in County Division Five North & West.