Chalke Valley beat Beaminster by 112 runs

BEAMINSTER were dealt a big blow in the County Division Two title race after being comprehensively outplayed by rivals Chalke Valley in a 112-run thrashing.

Chalke leapfrogged Beaminster into first place and now lead Chris Park’s men by eight points with three games remaining.

Playing in stifling temperatures of 36C, Beaminster were asked to field first and duly fried in the heat as Chalke’s attacking batters built a truly memorable stand.

Captain Joe Weld, now the leading runscorer in the Dorset League with 876 at an average of 73, scored a blistering 138 from 125 balls, blasting 18 fours and a six.

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His opening partner Max Dowling finished unbeaten on 118 from 127 balls, having found the boundary 14 times.

Beaminster’s only joy came through James Edmunds (1-41), who had Weld caught to break a mammoth 246-run opening partnership.

Tom Goatly (1-63) then bowled Max Mallinson (10) but Glenn Willoughby struck 23 not out from 11 balls to help Chalke reach 312-2 from 45 overs.

In reply, Park hit 66 to lead an intimidating run quest – although only three of his teammates surpassed 20.

Goatly (30) and Adam Moss (22) were removed by off-spinner Josh Goodchild (4-48) while Jon Gudge (27) was bowled by Rupert Thomas (1-36).

Wickets were shared around but Beaminster’s futile chase did pass the magic 200 mark to gain maximum batting points before Will Senior (2-25) wrapped up their innings in the final over.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Park said: “It wasn’t the most enjoyable Saturday afternoon I’ve had, it was pretty brutal.

“There was a lot of long faces when I said I lost the toss again. I’ve talked about Chalke Valley most of the season and Saturday was no real surprise to me.

“That side they put out, they’re a Premier side in the waiting. There’s no disgrace on our part losing to that.

“I’m proud of us for making them work to the 90th over of the day. Realistically, the game’s done at half-time. There was not much chance of us scoring those runs.

“But 300, they could have had more with that batting line-up. All the bowlers stuck at it and the fielders were incredible, a couple were pretty poorly on the outfield with sickness and headaches.

“Even one of the umpires had to go off in the second innings because it was just too much with the heat.”

Beaminster now have designs on beating Charlton Down at the Memorial Ground on Saturday (1.30pm) after losing to them by five wickets in the return fixture.

Park said: “If we play like we did against Chalke we’ve got a good chance of winning the game.

“They’re a good side and have beaten some good teams this year themselves. From our point of view, we’ve got to keep doing what we’re doing.

“Chalke have still got three games to play. If they slip up and we win our three, it’s open again. The season’s not done and we’ll keep going right to the end.”

Nick Hollely, Tom Fowler, Jon Gudge and Tom Goatly miss out with Simon Jones, Ross Baker, Rich Runyard and Dan Hillier coming in.

Beaminster: Park, W Moss, Golledge, Baker, A Moss, Jones, Runyard, Hillier, Edmunds, Bareham, Edwards.