WITCHAMPTON II 132-7 (7pts) lost to CATTISTOCK & SYMENE II 178-9 (18pts) by 46 runs

CATTISTOCK & Symene's second string have secured promotion to County Division Three after a 46-run win at Witchampton Seconds.

Sam Good’s men batted first but lost Wes Lewis (11) and Nigel Toohill (0) early. From 26-2 they recovered with Reuben Kingston and Marcel Grunchie.

Kingston, the club's leading runscorer, was restrained in his approach, working the ball around and giving the strike to Grunchie who was in fine form, cracking four boundaries and three sixes before being dismissed for 41.

Kingston was next to fall for 32 as the Foxes wobbled, slipping from 95-2 to 125-7, losing Harry Angel (0), Chris Good (0) and Joe Etherington (1).

Good held firm however and was ably supported by Ethan Robertson (8). They began to work their way through the batting points, although Good then fell for 30.

Robertson fell soon after and the Foxes soon found themselves 155-9, 20 runs short of that final batting point.

READ MORE: Fantastic Foxes finally seal first Premier League win

James Boulton was joined at the crease by Bradley Wilkinson, who was on second-team debut after impressive performances for both the third XI and his county age group.

Wilkinson took charge of the last wicket partnership, striking three fours in a knock of 21 not out and along with Boulton (7no) they took the Foxes to 178-9 and full batting points at the close.

In defence, Robertson struck early on with the new ball to leave the hosts 7-1 although from here they recovered well and looked on course to chase down their target with Ryan Allaway (22) and Mark Bennett (15) in form.

That was until Boulton was introduced to the attack, striking immediately. Along with Lewis they ripped through the middle order, ensuring the chase was off for the home team.

The innings petered out with the Witches finishing on 132-7, Lewis claiming 4-29 in the process. This meant a points haul of 18 for the Foxes, guaranteeing promotion and nestling them 14 points clear at the top with two games remaining.

Good said: ‘Our innings didn’t go to plan but we had those few players put their hands up and make really good contributions.

"I thought Reuben and Marcel batted superbly and also young Brad on debut getting us that final batting point.

"The bowling went the same way to be honest, they looked like getting the runs but then that spell from Wes and Boulton was awesome and put the game out of their reach. I’m happy to have secured promotion but we want to win the title."

DORCHESTER 168-0 (20pts) beat CATTISTOCK & SYMENE 167 (3pts) by 10 wickets

CATTISTOCK & Symene were soundly beaten by 10 wickets at Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League title-chasing Dorchester.

The Foxes made 167 all out as Ben Golledge (43), Luke King (30) and Liam Toohill (29) hit meaty contributions, Simon Mitchem claiming 4-13.

In reply, Seb Carty (63no) and Will McKay (80no) dismissed the Foxes' attack to all parts, reaching their target in 20.3 overs.

Foxes' skipper Bradley Damen said: "We knew this was going to be a tough game, they were too strong for us down ours and we wanted to put in a much better performance which I think we achieved – at least with the bat.

"We lost an early wicket but Luke and Liam saw off the new ball and rebuilt well. We were able to build partnerships throughout, almost seeing out our 45 overs.

"We didn’t start well with the ball and any loose bowling was punished. I thought George (Wyrill) and Damian (Barnard) in particular bowled well without reward."

Next up for the first team is a home clash with Wimborne on Saturday (1pm).