DEFENDING Dorset Premier League champions Wimborne opened their 2019 campaign with a 13-run defeat at Dorchester.

Having won the toss and elected to field first at Dorchester rec, the Minstermen restricted the county town side to 212 for nine from their allotted 50 overs.

The returning Rob Hatchard claimed three for 43 for the visitors.

But following the break, Dorchester put the squeeze on Wimborne to ensure they could only reach 199 for eight in reply.

Skipper Mark House reached 54 before being caught behind off the bowling of Simon Mitchem, while Frank Turrell accelerated the scoring with 47 from 43 deliveries.

Wimborne claimed 11 league points from the defeat.

Elsewhere, five wickets for Broadstone’s David Guest could not prevent his side falling to a 95-run reverse at Shroton.

Guest returned five for 66 from nine overs, but Shroton’s Marc Doble took centre stage with 132 from 113 deliveries to propel the hosts to 277 all out batting first.

Broadstone’s Mike Holm smashed 42 from just 19 deliveries batting at number 10 in reply but it was not enough as the visitors were bowled out for 182.

Connor Tarr (40) had helped stage a recovery for Broadstone, who had been left reeling on 48 for seven.