Stalbridge beat Beaminster by 10 wickets

BEAMINSTER were skittled for just 21 as Stalbridge completed an incredible 10-wicket victory over the winless west Dorset side.

Stalbridge won the toss and chose to field first on a surface which proved a lively one and was expertly exploited by the classy Steve Forshaw.

His extra pace and skill had Beaminster’s line-up in tatters, aided by the odd occasion of inconsistent bounce.

Forshaw resultantly breezed through the visitors with an astonishing 8-9 from his 8.1 overs.

READ MORE: Beaminster bowled out for 45 at Corfe Mullen

Beaminster’s total could have been even worse as they were 12-9 at one stage before Ady Phillips (3) and Ollie Bareham (2no) put on nine runs for the final wicket.

Simon Sweatman chipped in with 2-11 as Stalbridge required only 16.1 overs to bowl Beaminster out, Ross Baker (6) the top scorer and only player to hit a boundary amongst six ducks.

Stalbridge were less troubled by the conditions as Beaminster did not have the pace in their armoury to utilise the movement on offer.

Consequently, skipper James Lewis (12no) and Nelson Burles (3no) needed only 7.5 overs to tick off the runs, with Jack Ronan going down fighting in a spell of 0-2 from his four overs, including three maidens.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Beaminster captain Chris Park said: “It was the perfect storm with the side we had, there were 18 players unavailable.

“Steve Forshaw bowling down the hill, hitting the spots, shooting along and jumping up and the fact he’s a really good bowler that gives you nothing.

“No-one got out playing bad shots, we were just rolled over. It’s something I can’t get too downhearted about, we were looking around in stunned silence.

“I wanted to stress that you can’t blame a pitch for something, ultimately we weren’t good enough.”

Beaminster move on to a home game with Witchampton on Saturday (1pm).

Park, who will sit out the match with Will Moss taking the captaincy, added: “Witchampton are another very good side and we always seem to have good games against them, not necessarily coming out on top.

“Hopefully that will change this weekend. We’ve got a few players back but the make up of the side, probably for the rest of the season, will be trying to get the youngsters involved.

“We’ll be going back to try and enjoy our cricket again. When you’re getting thumped every week, morale does tend to take a hit.

“There is quality there but unfortunately the availability has been so poor that we can’t get any momentum going. You need nine or 10 guaranteed every week and we’re just not getting that.

“Until that’s addressed, then we’re going to struggle. I’ve no doubt we’ve got quality, it’s just that we can’t get the players on the park.”

Beaminster hand a first-team debut to Ed House this weekend.

Beaminster: Golledge, W Moss, Hillier, A Moss, O Hey, Padwick, Jones, Baker, Bareham, Ronan, House.