PUDDLETOWN 176 (7pts) lost to DORCHESTER II 221-7 (20pts) by 45 runs

DORCHESTER Seconds made it a winning return to County Division Two with a 45-run success at Puddletown.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the county town side amassed 221-7 from 45 overs before bowling Puddletown out for 176.

Ben Macklin (40) and Rohan Scott (42) put on 97 for the first wicket in brisk time, but their stays at the crease came to an abrupt end when Macklin was run out and Scott returned a catch to Adam Barrett (1-32).

Mike Peak (20) and James Dunham (21) added quick runs before Pete Phillips (3-35) stemmed Dorchester’s flow with three scalps.

READ MORE: Puddletown win fourth promotion in four seasons

Dorchester were able to continue on at close to five-an-over as Joe Power struck 48 from 45 balls, including two sixes and four boundaries.

They set Puddletown a target of 222, which looked out of sight when Dorchester reduced the Kingfishers to 54-3.

However, a 78-run stand for the fourth wicket between Chris Clarke (32) and Barrett (72) took Puddletown to 132-3.

Power then broke through, ousting both Clarke and Charlie Eccleson (2), as Dorchester hit back.

Barrett was fast running out of partners, though, and he became one of three casualties with the score on 164 to all but seal Dorchester’s victory.

Peak’s introduction proved vital as he claimed 4-20, including Barrett, as Puddletown’s chase came up short.

Speaking to Echosport, Barrett paid tribute to Dorchester for their cutting edge in both departments.

He said: “We were going well, we batted well but we were always a bit wary that they had Joe Power left to bowl.

“Joe’s not played for a few years but we know he’s a top-quality bowler. When he came on, his overs really changed the game. He was very good.

“That was the difference in the teams, if you take him out of the game, he’s done well. Maybe it was bad shot selection from us as well.”

With the ball, Barrett was satisfied despite the absence of opening bowlers Adam Weir and Dave Morris.

He said: “We were missing our strike bowlers but they got off to a good start. We just weren’t getting wickets and they had wickets in hand and could push on after drinks.

“We did well to consolidate them to 221, which on the mat is probably not the best score. We’d back ourselves to get it.

“We looked like we would at one period, but I was at the non-striker’s end for a bit and couldn’t get us over the line.”

Puddletown Seconds lost by four wickets at Wareham in Division Five.