BERE REGIS 203 (19pts) beat MARTINSTOWN 133 (7pts) by 70 runs

BERE Regis beat derby rivals Martinstown by 70 runs to earn a second consecutive win and complete the double over their Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League adversaries.

Victory strengthens Bere’s standing in seventh, while Martinstown are now 22 points above bottom side Stalbridge.

Martinstown opted to bowl first and received near instant dividends when Chris Read (1-30) found the edge of Matt King (0).

Mike Kennedy-Barnard (3-32) then landed a double blow in accounting for Rob Murphy (16) and Jacob Lambert (2).

Further joy followed for the visitors, who reduced Bere to 97-5 before an invaluable 47-run stand between Rich Payne (70) and Rich Cole (44) wrestled back the momentum.

Cole continued where the excellent Payne, scorer of 11 fours and a six, left off and almost saw the innings out as the hosts were dismissed for 203 after 49 overs, Ryan Chase (3-42) also impressing.

Martinstown opener Ed Nichols (0) missed a leg stump full-toss and was bowled by Matt King on a disastrous first ball of the away side’s reply.

However, Sean Williams (16) and Tom Pope rebuilt to 82-1 until Sean Walbridge ran the former out, tipping the ball on to the stumps at the non-striker’s end off his own bowling.

The dismissal sparked a huge collapse of 9-50, with Pope (62) the anomaly in claiming a superb half-century as no further batsmen reached double figures.

Bere, with the considerable help of leading wicket-taker Walbridge (4-15), eventually bowled the Villagers out for 133 to back up their six-wicket win over Martinstown in May.

Speaking to Echosport, home captain Rich Cole highlighted the intent with which his troops played.

He said: “I’m really pleased about our positivity throughout the day. We were under the cosh with the bat and yet to score over 200 runs was a really good sign.

“We got Ed first ball of their innings and that obviously puts a team on the back foot.

“To be fair to (Williams and Pope) they batted really well and put us under pressure.

“Weirdly, it took a freak run out. That pushed a button and Martinstown imploded.”

On Payne’s innings, Cole added: “He batted in a really positive manner. It was really nice batting with him for a good portion of our innings.”

Opposing skipper Sam Kershaw, however, was again left to rue a batting collapse.

“We thought they were 30 or 40 below a good score,” Kershaw surmised. “We felt quite comfortable chasing and Tom batted one of the best innings I’ve seen for a few years with his ball striking.

“We got to 82-1 and Sean got run out backing up and we lost the momentum. We’ve got the ability, but we seem to find ways of getting out.”

Elsewhere, Bere and Martinstown’s seconds picked up respective wins over Portland Seconds and Swanage Seconds.

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830990

e: neil.walton

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @EchoSportNeil