DORCHESTER II 141 (5pts) lost to CHARLTON DOWN 143-2 (21pts) by eight wickets

CHARLTON Down opened their County Division Two campaign with an emphatic eight-wicket victory at near rivals Dorchester Seconds.

This was a great all-round team performance with Joe Taylor taking 4-13 before captain Jack Eveleigh hit an unbeaten 85 to chase down the total with nine overs to spare.

Dorchester batters Gavin Egan (26) and overseas player Arunn Samynathan (21) played well and took the score to 70-1 before Taylor struck three times without a run being added.

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The hosts collapsed to 70-4 but captain Ron Nobbs added a quick fire 19 until he became another victim for Taylor, whose four wickets came off just six overs.

Dorchester were 106-5 but with batters falling regularly and with all bowlers picking up wickets, Dorchester ended their innings on 141 all out, Javed Gill sweeping up the tail with 3-32.

Charlton Down’s reply was cautious with both openers playing solidly.

The 50-run opening partnership came up in the 16th over but with the score on 56 it was the patient Roger Frapwell who was out for 12 when attempting to hook Ben Alford and he also had Henry Dipple caught for a duck.

With the score on 63-2 it was Eveleigh (85no) and Nick Voss (27no) who both batted beautifully.

The duo added an unbeaten partnership of 80 to see Charlton Down through to victory, Eveleigh’s knock including 15 fours and one six.