BROADSTONE 223 (6pts) lost to DORCHESTER 224-3 (20pts) by seven wickets

DORCHESTER kept alive their extremely slim hopes of finishing second in the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League with a convincing seven-wicket win over Broadstone at Delph Woods.

Victory means Dorchester must take 20 points from their final game at home to Sherborne on Saturday and hope Poole Town pick up none away to Bere Regis to secure the runners-up spot.

Broadstone won the toss and made a good start, despite Dorchester captain James Dunham (2-45) bowling straight through and castling Pete Russell (8) and Daniel Cook (32).

Luke Carter (75) was again in superb form, the leading runscorer in Dorset taking his tally to 874 from 17 innings this season.

However, when he was trapped leg before by the spin of Jack Walklett (3-41), Broadstone crumbled from 153-3 to 168-8 as George Foot (3-39) combined with his fellow spinner to wreak havoc.

The hosts were indebted to late knocks from Mike Holm (14), Ben Priest (14no) and Steve Trembath (19) in surpassing 200, eventually closing on 223 all out.

In reply, Dorchester saw Will McKay (4) bowled by Holm (1-34), although new batsman Eral Anderson again showed his class in a fluent knock.

Anderson reached his 50 off 62 balls, supported by 29 from Nick Roe who was pinned lbw by Ashley Collison (1-43).

At 87-2, Dorchester still had work to do and Simon Mitchem combined effectively with Anderson (71) to bring his side within range of victory until the latter was bowled by Ben Priest (1-63).

Dan Belt (26no) fired a rapid four boundaries to aid Mitchem (70no) as the pair steered their side to a deserved 12th win of the season.

Speaking to Echosport following the triumph, Dunham believed his side looked “very strong”.

He said: “The reverse fixture against Broadstone at our place was very one-sided losing by 10 wickets.

“We were very strong throughout the whole day, we bowled really well. Two great bowling performances by the spinners, Jack and George, and then all of our boys chipped in with the bat.

“Eral again looked class and Simon again with 70 so it’s really good to see.”

But Dunham paid credit to the prolific Carter, adding: “Luke’s a very good batsman, his stats this year don’t lie, he’s piled the runs on.

“Again, he looked good. The Delph is one place in the county where the runs pile on and he’s very, very good at that.”