CATTISTOCK & SYMENE 204-7 (20pts) beat CHRISTCHURCH 92 (3pts) by 112 runs

CATTISTOCK & Symene finally earned their first victory of the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League season with a convincing 112-run win triumph over Christchurch.

Due to rain, the match was shortened to 28 overs per side, with Christchurch winning the toss and bowling first.

The hosts lost Wes Lewis (0) and Leo Gurd (6) early on but Liam Toohill kick-started the innings by scoring 21 off the ninth over, however he fell in the next over for 28.

Brad Mullins anchored the innings and although runs continued to come, so did the wickets of Steve Tucker (8), Billy Wallbridge (5), Bradley Damen (8) and Mullins himself for 29.

With the score 106-7 after 18 overs, Ollie Legg joined Sam Baker in the middle looking to bat out the overs and take the Foxes as far as they could.

What followed was a brilliant partnership, they ran well between the wickets and picked the right ball to send to, or over, the boundary.

READ MORE: Foxes edged out in high-scoring thriller

Legg mixed delicate touch with power hitting to hit the ball all around the ground. Baker also cleared the ropes and turned ones into twos with his running.

A huge last over of 23 propelled the Foxes above 200 and left both batsmen unbeaten on 46 with the eighth-wicket partnership unbroken on 98.

This boosted the Foxes massively and ensured the momentum was with them going into the second innings.

Foxes’ skipper Brad Damen (4-20) led by example, taking four wickets in his opening spell to reduce the visitors to 33-4.

Some smart fielding work by Wallbridge resulted in some indecisive running and a simple run out. Wickets kept falling regularly with Toohill (2-19) and Legg (3-30) picking up scalps.

And the Foxes’ first Premier League victory was sealed when Legg had Spencer Briars (2) caught by Tom Stewart high above his head.

Damen said: “I am really happy with this performance and picking up our first victory. Going into this game we knew it was a great chance to get 20 points, but still had to execute our game plan well.

“It was a frustrating wait for the rain to stop but it was a good pitch and worth the wait. We possibly went a little bit hard too early. Sam and Ollie batted superbly to rescue our innings and take us past 200. We took early wickets with the ball and managed to stay on top of them and wrap up the victory.”

County Division Four leaders Cattistock & Symene Seconds earned a full 20 points with Wimborne Thirds scratching the match due to Covid-19.

The Foxes’ thirds travelled to Dorchester Thirds and bowled first, taking regular wickets.

Ollie James (1-19), Damian Barnard (2-29) and Howard Legg (1-23) were all amongst the action. There were also a pair of run outs as the home team finished on 153-6.

In the run chase, Justin Gurd (6) fell early but Reuben Kingston started brightly.

Wickets fell frequently but the Foxes continued to edge towards their target as Kingston passed 50, trying to steer his team to victory.

It was not to be, however, as Kingston fell for 63 and only Brian Earl (14) also made it into double figures as the were Foxes bowled out for 146, agonisingly eight runs short of their target.