BERE REGIS 117-2 (20pts) beat PUDDLETOWN 115 (2pts) by eight wickets

BERE Regis took a commanding eight-wicket derby victory over Puddletown in their Dorset Premier League clash at Bere Regis Rec.

While Brian Keegan’s men cruised to a sixth win from eight league games, Puddletown have just one to their name.

And Adam Barrett’s side drifted to the bottom of the standings after Cattistock & Symene claimed four points in their loss to Dorchester.

Divergent fortunes for the clubs this season were starkly evident as Bere capitalised on winning the toss and fielding first in bowler-friendly conditions.

READ MORE: Bere Regis beat Broadstone by 22 runs

Rob Murphy (1-11) produced the breakthrough by bowling Reegan Norman (0) but Puddletown dug in with their next three batters all making starts.

Rob Snow (18), Barrett (18) and Callum Chaldecott (16) got themselves in but all fell to Pete Russell (3-26), leaving Puddletown on 79-4.

Puddletown’s trial by spin continued as Dave Griffiths (1-26) had Steve Chaldecott (7) caught, before Dean Rogerson demolished the tail.

The experienced off-spinner claimed 4-15 from just five overs to cripple Puddle at 109-9 and the innings was finished off by teenager Tom Munnings (1-16), who pinned Dave Morris (4) lbw.

Chasing just 116, Bere rattled through the game and got home in just 17.2 overs with a dominant batting display.

Although Callum Chaldecott (1-27) trapped Matt King leg before for a rare duck, Russell continued his excellent form with willow in hand.

The ex-Broadstone man raced to 32 by the time Rich Payne (13) offered a catch to Barrett off the left-arm spin of Snow (1-27).

And Russell was able to complete his half-century, finishing on 58 not out from 63 balls with nine fours.

That was despite a trademark blitz from Cam Robertson, who smashed 33 not out from 23 balls – all but one run coming from boundaries as the all-rounder crunched five fours and two sixes.

Bere finished on 117-2 to complete a maximum-point win and stay within 20 points of leaders Wimborne in fourth.

READ MORE: Poole Town beat Puddletown by 132 runs

Speaking to Echosport, Keegan said: “It was good to win the toss – it doesn’t happen very often for me for whatever reason. I’ve only won five or six in three seasons.

“But I said after last week we needed to bowl with more control and we did – to be fair, on a bowler friendly strip.

“It helped winning the toss but we still had to put the ball in the right areas and to a man all the bowlers did a good job.

“Pete bowled extremely well for his 3-26 and then Mr Rogerson took 4-15 off five, he bowled really well and he got a bit of drift. I couldn’t fault us in the field.

“To be fair to Puddletown, they stuck in there and when it came to the reply, Pete batted really well and carried his bat for 58.

“Cam batted well again and to be perfectly honest it was a very comfortable day. We needed the win just to set up the rest of the season for us. So I can’t be happier.”

He added: “We’re gradually becoming consistent and hopefully we’ll continue to do that.

“It’s down to availability of players and I think a lot of clubs are suffering with a number of changes each week.

“Hopefully the blip at Poole has gone and we can keep looking forward. That’s all we can do.”

Opposing skipper Barrett said: “It was a bad day at the office. There’s no point in dwelling on the result, we just need to pick ourselves up and move on now to next weekend.

“Credit to Bere Regis, they bowled really well and didn’t give us much to play with.

“They were good value for the win and will definitely finish towards the top end of the table.

“Hopefully availability improves towards in the second half of the season and we can be more competitive.”

Bere Regis Seconds beat Hamworthy Recreation Seconds by 61 runs in County Division Three.

Bere main sponsor: Booth Gadenne

Bere first and second XI match ball sponsor: Rupert Guppy