Beaminster beat Corfe Mullen by 54 runs

BEAMINSTER pulled off their third straight victory, beating Corfe Mullen by 54 runs to move into second in County Division Two.

Chris Park’s men are one of three sides with perfect records to date, nestling a point behind leaders Charlton Down and a point ahead of Chalke Valley.

And Park was the architect of Beaminster’s latest win, scoring a magnificent century in challenging conditions.

There was some uncertainty over whether Corfe would be playing on their artificial or grass wicket, due to rain in midweek.

READ MORE: Beaminster beat Dorchester Seconds by four wickets

In the end, Corfe prepared their grass wicket and won the toss, inviting Beaminster to bat first on a soft track.

Beaminster lost regular wickets early on as opening bowler Michael Jordan (2-24) profited to leave the visitors 71-4.

However, Park seemed at ease with the conditions, bringing up his fifty and finding assistance from Adam Moss (14).

Running hard for his century amid a heavy outfield and scoring only 11 fours, Park lifted his bat for the defining innings of the game.

He was then bowled by Ben Bolt (2-45) on his very next ball but Lahiru Abeywickrama (32) and James Edmunds (16no) took the score to 188-8 from 45 overs.

With the sun and wind drying out the pitch, Corfe Mullen were well in the game as Jordan (34) and Ian Creswell (29) rebuilt after a fine opening spell of swing bowling from Nick Hollely (3-28).

Corfe’s set batters were then quickly dismissed as Jordan was stumped off Ben Golledge (1-5) and Creswell was pouched on the boundary by Hollely off Henry Everitt (1-8).

Ross Baker (1-27) then removed Zeeshan Haider (13) and Edmunds (4-19) tore through the lower order to help dismiss the hosts for 134 and complete another fine victory.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Park said: “They’ve not been three easy wins, by any stretch, it would be nice to win comfortably!

“It’s a nice habit to be getting in to.”

Park added: “I had to dig in as we started to lose wickets and I managed to get a score together.

“Lahiru came in at the end and hit a quick-fire 32 to help us reach 188. I don’t like talking about myself but it was important I got the runs I did.

“I felt quite comfortable out there. It was low and slow and hard work with the amount of running. I would’ve liked not to have got out the very next ball. I was knackered!”

Beaminster next host Weymouth on Saturday (1.30pm), with the Seasiders looking vulnerable after two straight defeats.

Park said: “I’m looking forward to it. Weymouth are far too strong to be in Division Two, if I’m honest.

“We’re going into the game full of confidence, we’ve won three out of three but I still see us as underdogs with a club the size of Weymouth and the talent they’ve got.”

Beaminster make three changes as John Gudge, Henry Everitt and James Edmunds make way for Dan Hillier, Ollie Bareham and Simon Jones.

Beaminster: Park, W Moss, Golledge, Fowler, Baker, A Moss, Abeywickrama, Jones, O Bareham, Hillier, Hollely.