BEAMINSTER 189 (19pts) beat PORTLAND RT 131 (7pts) by 58 runs

BEAMINSTER collected a crucial 58-run win over Portland Red Triangle in their relegation battle at the Memorial Ground.

Chris Park’s side have now dragged Triangle deep into the relegation picture, with Portland in sixth and Beaminster in ninth, the first drop zone spot, separated by just five points.

Only two games of the season remain, with a maximum 20 points available for victory in each.

Beaminster won the toss and batted first on a pitch that showed signs of wear as the match endured.

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Eddie Moles (4-29) broke through with two early scalps and Joel Davey (1-27) dismissed Simon Jones before a crucial partnership in hostile conditions between Ben Golledge (42) and Rich Runyard (44).

They set the platform for a competitive total and 31 extras, coupled with respective scores of 13 and 11 from Ross Baker and Adam Moss, inched Beaminster to 189 all out.

Portland were aggressive in response and built to 74-1 after the early casualty of Mark Caswell (10) to Ollie Bareham (1-18).

However, 74-1 became 74-3 as Dave Adkins (39) and Simon Barrett (16) were dismissed.

The latter was the first of four victims for Jones, who delivered one of the most memorable spells of seam bowling seen at Beaminster.

The all-rounder took a magnificent 4-7 from nine overs, including five maidens, to decimate Portland’s middle order.

George Munro (17) was run out and Portland’s tail swiftly followed as they were dismissed for 131.

Park said: “We wanted to get runs on the board and take the game on from there, it worked out for us.

“That total on that wicket was always going to be tough. Then Simon put in one of the best spells on bowling I’ve witnessed at Beaminster with regards to line and length.

“They folded after that and it ended up being a comfortable win, it was probably our best performance of the season.”

Beaminster renew rivalries with promotion-chasing Chalke Valley on Saturday (1pm).

Park (broken rib) returns in place of James Edmunds (unavailable).

Beaminster: Handford, W Moss, Jones, Golledge, Runyard, A Moss, Baker, Edmunds, Bareham, Fry, Edwards.