WIMBORNE & Colehill seized the initiative in the Dorset League Premier Division title race with a 37-run win over fellow high-fliers Poole Town.

Poole won the toss and elected to field, the visitors swiftly on the front foot when opener Colin Randall was caught by wicket-keeper Brewster Surridge off the bowling of Jamie Thomas.

Away skipper Ciaran Quinn claimed a pair of catches at slip – the second off Mark House's bat when he was on 21 – to leave Wimborne & Colehill in some bother at 46 for three.

However, Simon Woodruff and Tom Caines rebuilt the innings in superb style, adding 76 runs to the total courtesy of a steadfast partnership.

Woodruff was eventually halted on 53 when Tom Robinson gobbled up a catch off the bowling of Joe Wormington.

Caines forged on and enjoyed another fruitful partnership, this time with Joe Weld, whose run-a-ball 28 prior to a run-out beefed up the hosts' total to 169 for five.

Home captain James Miller came to the crease and added 19 to the total before Caines was finally stopped on 63 when he was bowled by Badrul Alam.

It was left to Miller and Ben Ratcliffe to see out the 50 overs with Wimborne & Colehill finishing their 50 overs on 210 for six.

Thomas took two for 39 in his 10 overs, while Alam, Scott Currie and Wormington claimed a wicket apiece.

In reply, Poole suffered an early body blow when Tom Robinson was sent back over the rope for one after he was caught by Simon Woodruff from Ed Bartlett's delivery.

Surridge and Quinn restored stability and took the visitors to 50 when the latter was bowled by Caines.

It was not long before Weld trapped Lewis Marais leg before and Poole had reached 91 when Surridge was stopped short of his half-century on 41, George Bartlett claiming the crucial wicket.

Alam and Currie combined to good effect as they put 53 further runs on the board, the latter caught by Graham Cole off Weld for 26.

However, that was the start of a Poole collapse that saw the match slip out of their grasp.

Sitting on 144 for five after Currie was dismissed, Poole were eventually bowled out for 173 in the 48th over.

Jon Salt was run out for nought by House and Alam finally fell for 41 when he was stumped by James Miller.

The wickets of David Miller (18), Thomas and Wormington were swept up – two courtesy of Woodruff – as Wimborne & Colehill banked a precious victory.

Captain James Miller said: "Having received the trophy for team of the month before the game, it was crucial the team were focused.

"We knew Poole were going to come at us hard and it was crucial we set a decent score after being put into bat.

"Simon Woodruff has really stepped up to the plate this year with the bat. When he is set he can take any bowling attack apart with his 360-degree range of scoring shots.

"Having five spinners was a massive bonus when defending the total."

Elsewhere, Broadstone succumbed to defeat at Sherborne.