BEAMINSTER 63-2 (19pts) beat CRANBORNE 62ao (1pt) by eight wickets

BEAMINSTER recorded an emphatic eight-wicket victory in just two hours in their first County Division Two home game of the season against 10-man Cranborne.

The Cranes were inserted and were immediately on the back foot after a hostile opening spell from Daniel Swift (3-18).

He beat the bat on numerous occasions and took three wickets as the top order floundered, with only Oliver Hand (25) providing any resistance.

There was also an excellent direct run out from Adam Moss, who claimed two run outs in total.

Change bowlers Nick Hollely (3-21) and Ross Baker (1-8) then combined to mop up the tail as the visitors were dismissed for a paltry 62 in 17 overs.

Beaminster’s fielders were also on form with catches for Aidey Phillips, Leo Gurd, Baker and Will Moss.

Chris Park ensured the chase was comfortable with a patient 22 not out.

Although two wickets were lost, Swift (20no) continued his good form with the bat as Beaminster cruised to victory by 3.30pm.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Baker confessed his side were not sure what to expect from Cranborne

He said: “It was a very brief afternoon.

“We spoke before about Cranborne, we did not know really what to expect when they played away, obviously they are very strong at home.

“They had a good victory in their first game at home (against Poole Town Seconds) where they scored 270 runs so we did not really know what to expect because they can be a bit unpredictable when they play away, and they only had 10 players and they had quite a few players missing from the previous week.

“After they lost the toss and we put them in we had really good intensity from the start.

“We bowled really good lines and took our chances in the field and they never really recovered from losing some early wickets. Everything seemed to go our way and we quite ruthlessly finished them off, then we only had to chase a low total.”