BEAMINSTER 192-9 (6pts) lost to MARNHULL 196-5 (19pts) by five wickets

BEAMINSTER lost out to surprise early County Division One leaders Marnhull by five wickets at the Memorial Ground.

Chris Park’s men rued dropped catches that would have broken a crucial partnership midway through Marnhull’s chase as the visitors ended up cruising to their third victory in four games.

Conversely, Beaminster are still searching for their first win but appeared to be in a decent position after winning the toss and batting.

Will Moss (4) and Dan Hillier (0) were dismissed in consecutive balls by George Dimmack (3-17), before Henry Dimmack (2-36) bowled the dangerous Adam Moss (2).

READ MORE: Portland Red Triangle beat Beaminster by 149 runs

At 35-3, Beaminster needed to rebuild and they did just that thanks to the assured strokeplay of opener James Hansford and the experience of Simon Jones.

Although, Hansford (50) departed stumped off Henry Dimmack shortly after totting up his half-century, comprised of six fours and a maximum.

Jones (30), Ross Baker (26) and Ben Padwick (12) all contributed useful runs in the middle order but the star cameo came from the returning Joe Hawkins.

Smashing 41 not out from just 24 balls, the all-rounder hit six boundaries and a maximum to push Beaminster on to 192.

Beaminster struck early through Hansford (1-14), who removed Arthur Dimmack (0), and Ben Fry (1-33) picked up the key scalp of Marnhull skipper Ashley Young (6).

However, Marnhull’s next stand proved match-winning.

Beaminster were not without their chances, dropping Danny Harkin (62) and Mike Brown (56) once each.

By the time Baker (1-35) and Jones (2-25) dismissed them respectively, Marnhull were on 177-4 and the game was effectively up.

Paul Woodrow (21no) and Henry Dimmack (9no) wasted little time in finishing the job as Marnhull got home with 11.2 overs remaining.

Park told the Bridport News: “We had opportunities in the game but didn’t take them.

“We dropped both the guys that went on to make fifties. If you do that, you’ll pay for it and we did, which was a real shame.

“We couldn’t break that partnership and we didn’t bowl particularly well. We had to chop and change a few things.

“We seemed a bit toothless. I feel like we had enough to beat them, but ultimately we didn’t.”

Beaminster next travel to Corfe Mullen on Saturday (1pm).

Park added: “We’ve got to be better. We can’t keep saying we’ve not had enough cricket. Someone has to stand up.

“It’s time not to make excuses and knuckle down, start finding a way to win.

“Otherwise, same as last year, it becomes a habit of getting into games and giving the game away. It’s something we’ve got to sort out.”

Beaminster: Park, W Moss, Hansford, A Moss, Golledge, Padwick, Baker, Edmunds, Fry, Edwards, AN Other.