CERNE VALLEY SECONDS 194-6 (6pts) lost to CHARLTON DOWN 181-3 (18pts) by 7 wickets (revised target 181)

IT was party time at Charlton Down as they clinched promotion and the County Division Five title with a seven-wicket win over Cerne Valley Seconds.

The newly-crowned Division Five title holders cannot be caught. They hold a 30-point advantage over second-placed Puddletown going into the final round of fixtures on Saturday.

Club chairman Alex Campbell smashed 45 runs in only 22 balls on Saturday to guide the hosts over the line including the winning boundary.

Winning the toss, Cerne Valley elected to bat first and were soon 2-1 when Craig Kellaway fished at a lovely out-swinger from Dan Stevens (1-20) into the gloves of Rob Deadman.

Tom Downey was then bowled by Matt Stevens (2-24) for just six with the score on 21-2.

With the Cerne Valley first team game called off it enabled a couple of players to strengthen the second team.

Impressive all-rounder Solo Roper (38) batted well to support the hard-hitting Ben Ellis (76) as they put together a partnership of 123 before Campbell had Ellis brilliantly caught at deep extra cover by the safe hands of Jack Eveleigh and Matt Stevens then bowled Roper.

A cameo innings from Mark Whitmarsh (12) pushed the score to a formidable 194-6 for the visitors at the close.

In reply, the Charlton Down innings was interrupted several times due to rain and eventually reduced to 34 overs and a revised target of 178 was required.

Jae Miller (40) and Jack Eveleigh (10) held their concentration during the rain interruptions and kept the score ticking over, bringing up the 50-run partnership in the 10th over before Miller was caught by Roper off Craig Kellaway (2-30) with the score on 53.

Eveleigh was then adjudged leg before to Kellaway for 10 at 56-2.

Requiring 90 runs from the last 15 overs it was the steady partnership between Roger Frapwell (40no) and Matt Stevens (29) that set up the run chase and kept Charlton Down in sight of victory.

Stevens was eventually caught by the Cerne wicket-keeper as he top edged a pull shot for 29, leaving 57 runs from the remaining eight overs.

But Campbell stepped up to the plate, smashing six fours and two sixes in a 22-ball 45 not out to see his side home.

The champions end their campaign with a home game against Broadstone Thirds on Saturday.