CORFE Mullen maintained their strong start to the Dorset League season with a five-wicket win at Ferndown Wayfarers on Sunday.

Peter Hoar’s side are one of two teams to claim victories in both of their opening matches and they trail leaders Dewlish by one point in the Division One standings.

A rapid run of five wickets for just 16 runs in the middle order set the tone as Wayfarers were dismissed for 107. Dean Elsworthy (22) and Sean Mulley (19) topped the scoring for the hosts, while Sam Stroud (3-7) bowled well and Zeeshan Haider (3-43) took a trio of wickets to put the visitors on the front foot.

Captain Hoar (26) led the chase with fellow opener Matt Bray (23) before Paul Webster’s (22 not out) late rally guided Corfe to victory. Mulley (3-19) was Ferndown’s top bowler.

Elsewhere, Cranborne lost by seven wickets to St Georges in a match disrupted by rain.

Dan Loader (42) was one of the few positives for the hosts who were all out for 110 (Paul McCann 3-25).

St Georges were set a revised target of 82 because of the weather and made light work of winning the match, reaching the total inside 20 overs with Rob Cole (34) leading the charge. Ciaran Quinn (1-10) was unable to prevent a home defeat.

Winton reached 80 for five before their match at Swanage was abandoned, while Christchurch got to 40 for two before rain stopped play in their clash with Fovant.