BEAMINSTER 188-2 (20pts) beat DORCHESTER SECONDS 185 (5pts) by eight wickets

A 144-RUN unbroken partnership between Beaminster stalwarts Simon Jones (81no) and Ross Baker (70no) ensured Beaminster safely chased their target of 185 with eight wickets to spare.

Dorchester Seconds made their under-par score thanks mainly to Mike Peak (43) and Will Morgan (61), as Adrian Phillips bowled well to earn figures of 3-27.

Beaminster cruised to the target, needing just 34.3 overs for the victory.

The hosts won the toss and decided to field as they tried to take advantage of the bowler-friendly conditions.

Eiron Fitzgerald started well for the visitors as he made his way to 16 before Phillips had him caught by Justin Gurd.

At the other end Baker bowled Dorchester’s other opener, Ben Macklin, for eight.

This brought together Peak and Morgan, who shared an excellent 96-run partnership, allowing the visitors to gain some control in the game.

However, captain Baker was on hand to break the partnership, as he had Morgan caught behind before running out Peak.

Having got the two prized wickets of Peak and Morgan, Beaminster were able to put the pressure back on the away side and with some good, tight bowling, as well as two more run-outs from Nick Hollely and Phillips, Dorchester were bowled out for 185 from 44.3 overs.

Fergus Rees and Jones picked up the tail-end wickets of Nathan Quinn and Ben Alford respectively for the hosts as they set about chasing down the visitors’ score.

The second innings didn’t start as planned for the hosts as Leo Gurd was run out for 12. Rob Meech followed soon after as he was caught by Fitzgerald off the bowling of Quinn.

This left Beaminster struggling on 41-2, but it brought together Baker and Jones, who batted beautifully.

Only Peak (9-0-25-0) exuded any control with the ball for the visitors as Beaminster’s two in-form batsmen stroked the ball around the ground with ease, leaving Dorchester scratching their heads.

The pair didn’t give the away side any chances as they cruised home for a comfortable eight-wicket victory and maximum points from the contest.

Up next for Beaminster is a home fixture against Sturminster Marshall on Saturday.