BOURNEMOUTH THIRDS 291-8 (20pts) beat BEAMINSTER 129 (6pts) by 163 runs

BEAMINSTER suffered a brutal 163-run defeat at the hand of Bournemouth Thirds.

Bournemouth’s captain, Sean Theunissen, top scored for the visitors in the first innings with 59 as the visitors racked up a score of 291-8 off their 45 overs.

Pete Bustin was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts taking 3-60 from his 10 overs.

In reply, Beaminster crumpled to 129 all out, Bustin backing up his bowling with a valiant 38 not out.

The hosts inserted the visitors and were made to pay as an impressive Bournemouth side racked up a superb score.

The top three batsmen all scored half centuries while the Beaminster bowlers toiled and the fielders struggled to stem the flow of boundaries.

None of the six bowlers used were able to gain any control as the batters dominated proceedings.

Wickets were shared between Bustin, Aidey Phillips (2-50), Nick Hollely (1-50) and Rob Meech (1-42) with Justin Gurd taking two well-judged catches.

With morale low, the Beaminster batters tried in vain to chase the daunting total.

They lost wickets at regular intervals with only Hugh Rathbone, Phillips and Bustin scoring more than 20.

Bustin was the man of the match for Beaminster as he ensured some respectability with 38 not out.

He shared a 54-run partnership with Phillips (20) before Beaminster were bowled out for just 129 in the 33rd over.

It was their second big loss of the season after they were defeated by 112 runs at the hands of Wimborne & Colehill Thirds in their opener last month.

Beaminster have just seven points to their name from their opening two fixtures.