BERE REGIS 199 (19pts) beat BROADSTONE 177 (8pts) by 22 runs

BERE Regis collected their fifth victory from seven Dorset Premier League games, beating Broadstone by 22 runs to keep pressure on the top three.

Brian Keegan’s men are now 20 points drift of leaders Wimborne with more than half the season remaining in what is shaping up to be a close battle for the title.

Bere were invited to bat first after Broadstone won the toss and their top order found the going difficult against an accurate away seam attack.

Matt King scored two from 29 balls before he fell victim to Charlie Groves (3-28) and Sam Goodhew (15) also went cheaply as Bere reached 53-2.

READ MORE: Bere Regis lose to Poole Town by 88 runs

Pete Russell had calmly compiled 37 from 80 balls but he was dismissed by Peter Thompson (1-28), leaving Bere on 88-3.

Trademark impetus was handed to Bere’s innings by the aggression and positive intent of Cam Robertson (51), who lifted the hosts into three figures.

He had gathered 40 by the time Tim Goodhew (12) was dismissed and went on to notch his half-century, only to perish lbw to the returning opener Mike Holm (1-28).

Bere needed late runs to post a defendable total and Rich Payne (19) and Rich Cole (16) obliged with three boundaries and a six between them to boost their side to 199 all out.

In reply, all of Broadstone’s top order made starts but failed to kick on as Bere took wickets at vital times.

Saathvik Kondreddy (21), Frankie Gamble (23) and Dan Cook (25) all got out after getting in, while Sam Goodhew’s off-spin turned the game.

The all-rounder, who with 23 victims this season has the third-most wickets in the Dorset League, claimed 4-28 to reduce Broadstone to 131-6.

And a mature bowling performance from youngster Tom Munnings (3-20) gave Broadstone little respite, although Parkin (17no) battled on.

His efforts were in vain, though, as Bere wrapped up a 22-run success.

Speaking to Echosport, Keegan admitted he was far from pleased by the victory.

He said: “We kind of made it hard work for ourselves. We lost the toss and got stuck in on a wicket that was a little bit difficult. You had to work hard for your runs.

“To be perfectly honest we could’ve bowled tighter but, saying that, I’m glad to be back to winning ways after last week.”

He added: “A heads up for Cam again, he wasn’t going at a run a ball but he accelerated and Pete played a good anchor role up top. They were the main two contributions.

“In the field, Jacob Kennard opened bowling off-spin and did a good job but the stand-out performer yet again was Mr Goodhew with 4-28 off 10, ably backed up by Tom.

“In amongst that there were a few extras, we just didn’t get the normal control with the ball. It was a good win but we had to work hard because we didn’t hit the standards you’d expect us to.

“But that’s being ultra-critical. A win’s a win.”

In County Division Three, Bere Regis Seconds beat Broadstone Seconds by six runs.