Symene 307/7 (20pts) beat Cattistock 108 a.o. (35pts) by 199 runs

Symene firsts beat the odds and clinched promotion to County Division Two after a final day victory over local rivals Cattistock.

They their promotion run perfectly to end the league season as runners-up, a conclusion that seemed distinctly remote after the dispiriting defeat at Abbotsbury just two weeks ago.

Batting first, the hosts set out their stall from the outset with top-order runs coming freely as they racked up an immense total of 307.

The innings was founded on a second wicket partnership between Toby Hall, who blasted a merciless 59, and the peerless Sam Challis whose 86 took him to an outstanding 530 runs for the season, averaging 59.

Wes Lewis, relishing his new number four role, contributed a typically forthright 51 and Ed Maltby added salt to the wounds with a 29 ball 50 not out.

Cattistock’s Nate Stantiford-Knight bowled well under the onslaught and took a creditable 3/32.

After tea, the away side's reply was necessarily brisk and reached 42/2 off just 10 overs when Rob Jones dismissed both opening batters.

The innings progressed steadily and had reached 72/4 at the halfway point but a mounting asking rate told in the end as the innings spluttered to a conclusion at 108 all out. 

Tom Goatly (3/1) and Ben Strong (2/14) did the damage with only Jason Bradley 22 not out holding firm.

Symene seconds concluded their league season by finishing in third position in Division Six with yet another close match, this fixture ending in a 14 run defeat at Charlton Down.

The hosts made a solid start with Roger Frapwell’s 26 setting the platform for the innings until he was the first of Orran Maudsley’s two wickets.

Rizwan Mohammed’s 41 added some impetus to the Charlton Down’s innings before Kieran Williams removed him.

He was soon followed by Javid Gill as Williams returned a 3/26 analysis. Jack Bartlett also took 3/39 and the 161 run total setting up an interesting second half.

In reply, Symene’s opening bat Lucas Richards made 21 but it was Justin Gurd, registering yet another 50 in a run-gorged summer, who top scored despite losing partners at the other end at regular intervals.

The visitors experienced a hammer blow when the experienced Phil Hawkins was run out for 8, attempting an ambitious third run with the finishing line in sight.

Fittingly, skipper David Hart was the last wicket of the season to fall but he could walk off the pitch very proud at the progress his young charges have made under his leadership this season.