WIMBORNE & COLEHILL II 128 (3pts) lost to BEAMINSTER 132-3 (20pts) by seven wickets

BEAMINSTER beat Wimborne & Colehill Seconds by seven wickets to secure second place in County Division Two, earning promotion to County Division One.

Ross Baker’s men had slipped as low as County Division Three in 2017 but have now achieved two promotions in three seasons, only missing out on the title by five points to winners Witchampton.

Wimborne started strongly at the Leaze, scoring 50 from 10 overs when rain stopped play.

Upon returning to the crease, they struggled to settle. The Minstermen’s aggressive batting tactics led to their demise as wickets fell regularly with captain Ben Ratcliffe top scoring with 34.

Dan Swift (1-24) put in a good all round performance for Beaminster, ably assisted by his fellow opener Nick Hollely (1-33).

Ross Baker (3-32) and Ali Crawford (2-23) then bowled well, putting sustained pressure on the batsmen supported by Dave Persey (1-0 off four overs) who put in his best bowling performance of the season. Teenager Will Moss then took 3-7 to end Wimborne’s innings on 128 all out.

In reply, the Beaminster batsmen played well on a good wicket with a quick outfield.

Baker (32) and Chris Park (16) built a solid platform before Swift (40no) and Lewis Keenan (21) shared a 63-run partnership, hitting the ball to all corners of the field, to win.

A big cheer went up as enough points were gained to achieve promotion when reaching 116 runs.

Beaminster were pipped to the league crown by Witchampton after the Witches defeated Shaftesbury by seven-wickets in a rain-affected clash.

With Baker’s men breathing down their necks, Witchampton knew nothing less than a win would guarantee their title win.

Shaftesbury were duly restricted to 168 all out, with Aled Williams scoring 47 and Adam Croker taking 4-26.

Croker, the Witches’ captain, then struck 78 from 79 balls to reach the revised target of 158 with 33 balls remaining.