Dorchester beat Puddletown by 178 runs

SEB Carty blasted an immense first Dorset Premier League century as Dorchester thrashed neighbours Puddletown by 178 runs at Dorchester Rec.

Carty smacked 150 from 132 balls, including 19 boundaries, as promoted side Puddletown were put to the sword in ideal batting conditions.

Dorchester skipper Dan Belt, playing against his boyhood club, had no hesitation in batting first after winning the toss.

Carty opened with Jim Ryall and the duo swiftly scored 58 for the first wicket, before Dave Morris (2-61) made a double breakthrough.

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Ryall (12) was caught behind off the evergreen Morris, who then trapped Gautham Rajendar (0) lbw from the very next ball.

Morris was unsuccessful in his quest for a hat-trick – and how Puddletown wished for the opposite as new batter Eral Anderson joined Carty for the defining stand of the game.

Amassing a stunning 175 for the third wicket, Carty and Anderson (79) both cruised to half-centuries as the Puddletown attack seemingly bowled against a brick wall.

And Carty, having shown the full extent of his 360-degree play, reached his first century for Dorchester at the beginning of the 36th over via his 97th ball.

His milestone, cheered vociferously by his teammates, preceded Anderson’s demise to Gordon Wint (1-50), who found the outside edge.

Carty (150) accelerated for his third fifty, taking just 34 balls, but he eventually had his timbers rustled by Ryan Norman.

The Puddletown seamer toiled away throughout the afternoon and was rewarded with two further wickets as Jack Owens (1) and Belt (3) both perished to the former Swanage man.

However, Jon Legg (24no) and Jamie Barrett (16no) both added late runs to carry Dorchester to an imposing 331-6 from 50 overs.

Dorchester were as good with the ball as they were with the bat as Puddletown failed to score a single run until the 30th ball of their reply.

By that time, James Dunham (2-30) had removed away skipper Adam Barrett (0) and Belt (1-22) accounted for Snow (0) as the misery continued for the visitors.

Puddle were boosted by a gutsy knock of 39 from 42 balls by young Reegan Norman, who shared 59 with Wint (18) before the latter’s departure to Dunham.

Norman and Alex Fairman (0) were both snared by Rob Nobbs (2-31) as Puddle slumped to 59-5.

Chris Clarke (22) and Jordan King (33) shared 45 but their resistance proved only temporary as Jamie Barrett (3-35) and Owens (2-13) killed the innings off.

Speaking to Echosport, Belt was glowing with praise for Carty.

“It was a great day for Seb to get his first century,” he said.

“He batted amazingly well and the boys had a bit of fun out there with the bat.

“Seb himself will say he gets frustrated when he gets out, especially when he gets to 50.

“It was great for him to get to that ton and get to 150 as well.

“We spoke before the game about someone taking their chance to get runs under their belt and a first ton of the year for Dorch.

“It proved to be the day and everyone was so happy for him.”

Losing skipper Adam Barrett was magnanimous in defeat and effusive in applause for Carty.

He said: “I’ve never personally played against him but I’ve heard lots of people say how good he is.

“Obviously, we got to see first hand just how true that was. He’s batted really well and 150, in all fairness he’s probably not given a chance in that.

“He was good value for it. Sometimes you’ve just got to say: ‘Fair play’. It was a really good innings and I’ll bet he’s delighted.

“It was always going to be difficult. I sound like a broken record at this point but the availability being what it is, unless we’re going to put stronger teams out, we’re going to keep on struggling.

“That’s the reality of it. On top of that, we could probably put out our best team possible and we’re still not going to get anywhere near Dorchester with the quality and depth they’ve got.

“Again, it was a case of playing for points and we’ve walked away with five which isn’t a disaster.”

Dorchester’s win followed an eight-wicket loss at Poole, while Puddletown were thumped at home to leaders Wimborne by ten wickets.

In the latest round of County Division Two fixtures, Dorchester Seconds suffered successive defeats to Beaminster and Sturminster & Hinton, while Dorchester Thirds lost to unbeaten Weymouth Seconds by six wickets in Division Six.

Puddletown Seconds were forced to scratch against Winton Fourths in Division Five, following a 99-run loss to Wimborne & Colehill Fourths in the previous week.