SHAFTESBURY 268-9 (10pts) lost to BEAMINSTER 269-7 (21pts) by three wickets

BEAMINSTER have secured the County Division Two title in dramatic fashion after gaining the necessary 14 points over Chalke Valley on the final day of the season.

Chris Park’s men beat Shaftesbury by three wickets at Shroton to initially earn 19 points, a score that remarkably put them level with Chalke after their shock 52-run loss to Parley Seconds.

However, with one bonus point awarded to teams in Divisions Two and Three for having an umpire and a scorer, Beaminster edged two points clear in the final reckoning to claim the silverware.

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While the bonus points initiative from the Dorset Cricket League has encouraged a structure of play similar to that of the Premier League and Division One, there has been widespread frustration among teams at how long it has taken to verify the awarding of bonus points.

That irritation spilled into this week as, with a title on the line, Beaminster only found out they were champions a whopping four days after the season had concluded.

In the grand scheme of things, though, Beaminster will not care as the victory that sealed the title came in handsome style.

Shaftesbury amassed 268-9 at the small confines of Shroton, a neutral venue used due to Shaftesbury’s home pitch being deemed unfit for play.

Lawrence Yeo smashed a superb 89, including ten boundaries and five sixes, while Kevin Monaghan made 60.

Late hitting from Christopher Roberts (17no) and Martin Parfitt (27) both increased the hosts’ total to the brink of six an over and prevented Beaminster from taking maximum bowling points.

But Beaminster went about their chase in typically positive mood, Park smashing five fours in a quickfire 21 at the top of the order.

He was then replaced by Ross Baker, who hit 43 alongside the calm influence of Will Moss (13).

When the duo departed, Adam Moss registered his fifth half-century of the season with another stunning knock.

His 67 was comprised of four boundaries and six sixes, until he fell soon after Ben Golledge (19) with 71 runs still required.

Beaminster’s lower order chipped in as Dan Hillier finished unbeaten on 36, while James Edmunds (20), Simon Jones (10) and Ollie Bareham (10no) all provided vital scores as Beaminster won with six balls to spare.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Park said: “I literally can’t believe it. I’ve said many times that (Chalke) are the best side in the league.

“I think they came up against a strong Parley side, who had a lot of their first-teamers.

“There’s nothing I can do about that – it was probably our best performance of the season given how many runs we conceded.

“I’m thoroughly chuffed and a bit speechless at the moment. I could not have imagined at the start of the season we’d have won the league, 100 per cent.”