DORCHESTER 270-2 (20pts) beat BROADSTONE SECONDS 123 (2pts) by 147 runs

DORCHESTER returned to the top of the Premier Two table in style with openers Will Caldwell and Pete Moxom taking centre stage in a crushing 147-run victory over Broadstone Seconds.

The duo wreaked havoc at Dorchester Rec as they put on a massive 244 for the hosts’ first wicket.

While Caldwell eventually fell for 86, Moxom went on to make an outstanding 142 in his side’s total of 270-2 in a rain-curtailed 42 overs.

Moxom’s century was Dor-chester’s first of the season, but the team’s vice-captain came so close to being denied – he was dropped on 99.

In reply, Broadstone were never in the hunt and Joe Power’s five wickets helped en-sure maximum points for Dor-chester.

And their win, coupled with defeat for Martinstown and a cancellation for Sherborne, saw them regain top spot in the league standings.

Delighted Dorchester skipper Dan Belt said: “Pete and Will put on 244 for the first wicket and I think that’s a club record for the biggest partnership.

“Pete batted extremely well and I think it was his first hundred at the Rec for the first team.

“They set the base for us to go on and try and take the wickets, but we didn’t pick up many early on.

“Then we introduced the spinners and they seemed to pick up the wickets and it was a great effort to take all 10.

“That gave us 20 points and we are back to the top of the table now because Bere Regis thumped Martinstown and Sherborne was rained off.

“It was a great day for us and a great effort from everyone.”

Caldwell and Moxom’s stand was finally brought to an end when the former was caught off the bowling of R Poole (2-44), who also claimed the wicket of Dorchester’s centurion.

Belt (13no) and Simon Mitchem (1no) did what they could to boost the total even further.

Broadstone made steady pro-gress in their response, with the openers taking the score to 64 when Caldwell (3-19) struck.

After Caldwell had accounted for two more of the visitors’ top order, Power (5-17) took over and Broadstone lost their last seven wickets for 23 runs.

And Power claimed the final wicket with the last ball of the match to secure a crucial extra bowling point for the home side.