BEAMINSTER 119-3 (20pts) beat WIMBORNE II 117 (2pts) by seven wickets

BEAMINSTER are safe in County Division One for another season after scraping to survival courtesy of a seven-wicket win over Wimborne Seconds.

While the win itself was one of Beaminster’s most comprehensive of the season, they were one of three teams tied on 170 at the bottom of the table.

They stayed up in the final safe position of eighth, due to their superior head-to-head record over Swanage and Hamworthy Rec, who were both relegated.

The relegation and promotion pictures in all eight of Dorset’s divisions are subject to change, pending a reshuffle after the county league was awarded ECB Premier League status for 2024 onwards.

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Even with that scenario in their minds, Beaminster were still intent on escaping the clutches of the bottom two.

Wimborne won the toss and elected to bat, only for seamer Ben Fry to rampage through their top order.

He took 5-35 to claim his maiden five-wicket haul for the club, despite meaty knocks from Toby Stainer-Reid (27) and Harry Reynolds (24).

Wimborne were dismissed for 117 and they too found bowling conditions to their liking as Ollie Woodruff (2-12) struck twice early on.

He removed openers Jack Handford (6) and Will Moss (0) cheaply but Ben Golledge (19) and skipper Chris Park took the game away from the Minstermen.

Leg-spinner Harry Prince (1-32) had Golledge caught but Park continued on to a well-made half-century.

He eventually finished unbeaten on 52, accompanied by Rich Runyard (19no), as Beaminster clinched safety by the skin of their teeth.

Park said: “I don’t know what the plan is for next year but not being in the bottom two was a better achievement than last year and winning the league.

“It was pretty incredible this season with bad luck, things not going our way and injuries.

“I’m really chuffed. I’m really proud how we’ve stuck at it this season. Several things have gone wrong, which didn’t happen last year.

“The fact we bounced back, I’m incredibly proud of everyone. They’ve given their all every week.

“It didn’t look like we had a hope in hell’s chance of staying up. It’s been an honour to lead them.”