SKIPPER Peter Hoar led Corfe Mullen to a fourth successive top-flight victory before admitting their impressive start to the campaign had exceeded expectations.

Corfe Mullen, promoted as Division Two champions, registered a seven-wicket win over Dewlish, the club they pipped for the title on the final day last season.

Hoar’s men made good use of the new ball on the artificial track at Cheselbourne Cricket Ground, dismissing their hosts for just 120.

Dewlish had appeared on course to rack up a decent total after reaching 58 for the loss of just one wicket.

However, Paul Webster (3-32) and Michael Jordan (2-29) sparked a collapse which reduced them to 68 for six.

And Corfe Mullen were firmly in the driving seat once James Shilton (3-9) had got rid of Dewlish dangerman Dan Belt (28).

Captain Hoar (30) shared 57 for the first wicket with Sam Mills before Jordan (32) and Mills, who remained undefeated on 49, took them to the brink of victory with a second-wicket stand of 48.

Despite seeing his team add to wins over Christchurch, Ferndown Wayfarers and Shillingstone, Hoar believes Corfe Mullen may be punching above their weight.

He told the Daily Echo: “We didn’t really know what to expect coming into the top division and our intention really was to survive. Four wins in a row has surpassed our expectations.

“I am delighted with our start but I am not sure we will be able to maintain our current league position. We have got some tough games coming up so will have to see how it goes.

“There are some very strong teams in the league and I don’t think we necessarily have the strength in depth in our squad to sustain a position in the top three. We would be delighted with a mid-table finish in our first season in Division One.”

Discussing their latest win, Hoar added: “We wanted to get the best out of the new ball and our opening bowlers bowled really well. We kept it tight, took an early wicket and then got another five in quick succession to tear the heart out of their batting line-up. Our reply got off to a positive start and Sam Mills batted very well.”

  • A second-wicket stand of 132 between Anthony Ireland and Eric Linge paved the way for Ferndown Wayfarers’s 20-run Dorset Sunday League victory over Winton – despite the best efforts of Mike Kitson.

Ireland (73) and Linge (85) laid the foundations for the hosts’ 269 for five at Dolman’s Farm before an unbeaten 48 from Lee Charlton boosted the total.

Kitson (100) ensured Wayfarers would not have things all their own way, his finely-crafted century seeing Winton go close to chasing a formidable target.

He came to the crease after Matt Clark (37) and Badral Alam (63) had put on 89 for the first wicket, his heroics proving in vain as Winton fell narrowly short on 249.

  • Swanage (130-0) eased to a 10-wicket win over Cranborne (128), while Shillingstone (81) were on the receiving end of a heavy 142-run defeat against Fovant (223-9).

Struggling Christchurch, meanwhile, were unable to raise a side to play St George’s and were forced to scratch for the second week running.