CATTISTOCK 272-5 (20pts) beat BROADSTONE II 88 (2pts) by 184 runs

CATTISTOCK cruised past Broadstone II with a fluent mix of ruthless bowling and brilliant batting to crush them by 184 runs in County Division One.

Broadstone won the toss and put Cattistock into bat and openers Jason Bradley and Billy Wallbridge started well and brought up 50 in the home side's 12th over.

They pushed on from here and doubled their scored to 100 within the next eight overs.

Bradley was the first to reach his 50 from 66 balls with nine fours.

Wallbridge then brought up his 50 from 65 balls with 10 fours and one six.

Bradley was first to fall for a fine 72 which saw the end of a magnificent 159-run opening partnership.

This became 159-3 before Wallbridge looked to push on again, striking two further sixes before he was eventually dismissed for a superb 80.

Brandon Ward (22) and Steve Tucker (7) fell as they looked to push on past 200.

Liam Toohill (36no) combined with big hitter Oliver Lee (23no) to put on a partnership of 53 in the final five overs and take Cattistock’s score to a very good 272.

Skipper Bradley Damen (2-8) picked up key early wickets including one opener and the Broadstone captain Richard Poole as Cattistock got stuck in early.

At 42-2, Brandon Ward was introduced and picked up a wicket with his very first ball, a great spell of fast bowling followed and Ward picked up two further wickets in consecutive balls but was unable to take his hat-trick.

At the other end, Jon Legg (4-13) also found himself on a hat-trick ball but he too could not find away through.

An inspired piece of fielding from Oliver Lee, who was fielding at short leg with pads and a helmet on, saw him chase the ball down to fine leg and then with a superb throw run the batsmen out with a direct hit at the non-strikers end.

Broadstone were bowled out for 88 and Cattistock picked up 20 points.

Captain Bradley Damen said: "Jason (Bradley) and Billy (Wallbridge) batted brilliantly to get our innings off to a great start. We were able to continue their good start and post a very good total.

"Taking early wickets was key and once we had those we had to remain on top.

"Brandon (Ward) and Leggy (Jon Legg) bowled great in tandem, express pace from Brandon at one end and superb spin from Leggy at the other bowled us to victory."