CHRIS Long played a starring role as Hamworthy Recreation returned to the top of the table thanks to a comfortable 3-1 win over Sturminster Newton at Magna Road.

Long provided the assist for Ash Boyt to break the deadlock in the 25th minute before doubling Rec's lead when he headed home Brad Hill's inch-perfect cross towards the end of the first half.

Although Ryan Garrod pulled one back for the visitors, Rec rubber-stamped their victory six minutes from time when Long converted a penalty after substitute Dan Blackburn had been hauled down in the box.

Holt United surrendered a 2-0 lead before being held to a 2-2 draw by rejuvenated Sherborne Town reserves at Petersham Lane.

The hosts started brightly with chances for Elliot Manson and Mike Haskell before Charlie Gajic's ferocious low drive gave them the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Gajic appeared to have put Holt in the driving seat when he doubled their lead from the penalty spot a minute after the break.

However, they were pegged back when the visitors netted twice in quick succession through Shane Pulling’s 40-yard thunderbolt and a Craig Royle effort.

A superb double save from Holt goalkeeper Chris Lynch kept it at 2-2 with bottom-placed Sherborne registering their first point of the season at the 12th attempt.

Asa Phillips and Lee Wilkins both netted twice as Merley Cobham Sports emerged 5-3 winners following a topsy-turvy clash at Westland Sports.

A goalkeeping error allowed Wilkins to open the scoring before Josh Pickering put Merley two up after 13 minutes.

Phillips punished another mistake to increase their lead early in the second half before goals from Leo Hayward and Haydn Hodges saw Westlands hit back.

However, Merley quickly restored their two-goal lead when Wilkins struck his second before Phillips did likewise after cashing in on another goalkeeping error three minutes from time. Hodges's late penalty proved in vain for Westlands.

Hamworthy United reserves came from behind to chalk up a 3-1 victory over Parley Sports at the County Ground.

Josh Moody's seventh-minute strike gave Parley the lead.

Hammers responded thanks to Sam Carter's double and a George Deem effort to pick up their third league win of the season.

Carter's mood changed somewhat in the closing stages when he was sent off after collecting a second booking.

Josh Hull's double fired Bridport reserves to a 5-0 victory at Blandford United.

Santiago Alonso and Alfie Ward were also on target for the Bees, while Dan Baggs completed the scoring from the penalty spot in the closing stages.

Saturday's Dorset Premier League fixtures: Mere Town v Merley Cobham Sports (2pm), Swanage Town & Herston v Gillingham Town (3pm).

Dorset Senior Trophy: Balti Sports v Lower Parkstone CFC (1.30pm), Blandford Utd v Verwood Town res (1.30pm), Corfe Mullen v Sturminster Newton (1.30pm), Hamworthy Recreation v Corfe Castle (1.30pm), Hamworthy Utd res v Sherborne Town res (3pm), Parley Sports v Bridport res (1.30pm), Poole Borough v Dorchester Sports (1.30pm), Shaftesbury Town res v Lyme Regis (1.30pm), Wareham Rangers v Allendale (1.30pm).