CHRISTCHURCH 64 (4pts) lost to DORCHESTER 225-9 (20pts) by 161 runs

DORCHESTER began their bid for Wessex Internet Dorset Premier League glory with a resounding 161-run thrashing of Christchurch at Hurn Bridge.

Jon Legg’s side, targeting a fourth title in five seasons, proved untouchable for their east Dorset opponents.

Their performance fired an early warning to reigning champions Poole ahead of a mouthwatering clash between the two on Saturday.

Dorchester started watchfully after winning the toss and batting first, openers Jim Ryall (22) and Legg (5) laying the foundation.

Opening bowler Charlie Rodgers (3-26) fought back by removing both men, before debutant Sathiyannaarayan Lakshmi Narasimhan (22) took up the mantle.

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He was forced to rebuild with Gautham Rajendar (58) after Eral Anderson (4), Simon Mitchem (9) and Dan Belt (0) all fell cheaply.

Rajendar was typically destructive when called upon after Narasimhan’s departure and found a willing ally in Jamie Barrett (35) to accumulate late runs.

Dorchester were also gifted a mammoth 53 extras as they closed on 225-9 from their 50 overs.

In response, the Dorchester pace attack bulldozed the hosts’ batting line-up to 21-6, effectively sealing the match.

Belt returned extraordinary figures of 3-5 from his five overs, ripping apart the top order of Craig Campbell (0), James Bingham (5) and Joe Malone (0).

Rob Nobbs (3-36) then chipped in with his own three-for to account for the middle order as no Christchurch batter could yet make it to double figures.

Thomas Hughes (15) ended that statistic but he became Narasimhan’s maiden victim for Dorchester, offering a catch to Legg.

And the returning India over-50s international Krish Subramaniam showed the value of his left-arm spin with a miserly 3-6 from 6.4 overs to wrap up the innings for a poor 64.

Analysing his side’s win, Legg told Echosport: “We started pretty slowly, Jim scored 22 and looked good before getting out.

“Sathiya laid a foundation whilst wickets fell around him. Gautham and Jamie built on, getting us to 225 after 50.

“Belty started well for us, removing Campbell in the opening over and furthermore Bingham and Malone in the following overs.

“Nobbsy then got into the act and took three wickets in quick succession to leave Christchurch at 21-6.

“After this, Sathiya and Krish came into the game and bowled relentlessly, giving the batters nothing and finally wrapping up the innings and getting us the win.

“Overall, a pretty good performance after the early stutter. Something to build from going into Poole at home next week.”

Dorchester’s second and third teams made it a hat-trick of wins for the club by beating Poole Town Thirds and Poole Town Fifths by seven and five wickets respectively.