SWANAGE 141 (2pts) lost to BEAMINSTER 142-1 (20pts) by nine wickets

BEAMINSTER finally claimed their maiden win of the County Division One season in emphatic style with a nine-wicket margin at Swanage.

Chris Park’s side were ruthless in all three departments and this time benefitted from losing the toss as Swanage elected to bat first.

Beaminster exploited early nibble in the Swanage pitch as Brad Damen (4-25) and Nick Hollely (3-22) made light work of the hosts’ top order.

The pitch did flatten out under the sun as Swanage’s innings progressed, with Renier de Kock (32) and Charlie Dyke (29) making good contributions before being castled by Damen and Hollely respectively.

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Ross Baker (2-42) chipped in with two quick wickets but last man Ryan Stearn frustrated Beaminster with a rapid 33 until he was bowled by Will Moss (1-3), wrapping up the innings for 141.

With batting conditions clearly improving, Beaminster cashed in as Park and Moss both scored freely.

Moss (51) struck five fours and a maximum in reaching his first fifty of the season before he was pinned leg before by Jonathan Gregory (1-26).

But Park (56no), who smashed six boundaries and a six, continued the chase at a brisk rate, with Ben Golledge (13no) adding three fours.

It meant Beaminster were home and hosed in just 26.4 overs, much to Park’s relief.

He told the Bridport News: “We just needed to fine tune a few things and everything that went wrong I the first three games, we put right in one game in all areas.

“The fielding was great, the bowling was superb and the batting was spot on so I couldn’t really ask for much more.”

Beaminster now host Hamworthy Recreation on Saturday (1pm) in a bottom-of-the-table battle.

Park said: “They’re right down there with us so it’s a must-win game, to try and stamp a bit of authority on the lower half of the table and show we can climb the table.

“That starts on Saturday against Hamworthy.”

Damen is unavailable and Jack Ronan misses out, meaning Simon Jones and Henry Hansford-Harvey come back in.