Sport

Sherborne on winning run

by Emlyn Kuhn Sherborne 1st XI v Puddletown 1st XI – Saturday, 30 July

Sherborne gave a superb team performance away from home and claimed all 20 points.

Losing the toss and being asked to bat first was exactly what Sherborne wanted.

Josh Lawrence (66) and Mark Roca (69) led from the front. Mike Kennedy (49) and then Marc Lock (52 not out) set a demanding total of 293.

Youth then took over with the ball. Ni Denham (3-28) and Jake Elsworth (4-23) took the Puddletown batting line-up apart. They were well supported by the more experienced Andrew Nurton (3-27).

The two 17-year-olds have made a big difference to the side, helping them win the last four on the bounce and looking to make it five at home to Martinstown next weekend.

Sherborne 2nd XI did not have a match as opponents Hamworthy could not raise a team and conceded the fixture.

Sherborne 1st XI v Bere Regis 1st XI - Saturday, 23 July

Sherborne had a superb three-wicket home win. They won the toss and opting to bowl first seemed the right decision with tight bowling restricting Bere Regis to 105 all out. The 17-year-old Jake Elsworth gave a stand-out bowling performance with 6-24.

In reply, Sherborne started well with Josh Lawrence scoring 38, but a string of wickets led Bere Regis to believe they were in with a chance of victory. However, captain Shane Pulling saw Sherborne home with 22 not out to take the win.

Sherborne 2nd XI v Bere Regis 2nd XI – Saturday, 23 July

Sherborne travelled to Bere and after winning the toss decided to bat.

Openers Andy Guppy and Adam Smith quickly got stuck into the Regis bowling, putting on 48 before Smith was run out.

They lost another wicket quickly and were 52-2 but then Freddie Harden joined Guppy at the crease and together they put on a 99-run partnership to set Sherborne on their way again.

Harden fell for good run-aball 42 while Guppy kept the runs flowing and reached his 100 in the 32nd over before falling on 108. Cameos from Dan Baker (12), Andy Pinkawa (15), Pete Durston (15) helped the visitors to a decent 223 all out.

After the break the visitor’s opening bowler, Otto Denham (8-38-1), set the standard with some quick swing bowling from the start. Aided by tight bowling from his partner Mark Hancock (8-24-1), the home side were tied down.

But after the drinks break Bere fought back with some big blows which put the game in the balance until Fred Harden (7-36-2) helped the visitors gain control again. This left Andy Guppy (8-46) and Otto Denham to keep things tight and see the side home to a ten-run victory.

It was a hard-fought victory against good opponents helped by the whole team being fully engaged in the field.

Young Zak out in front

by Kye Harman Wincanton-based motorcycle racer Zak Batey has taken the ACU British Youth Grasstrack Championship title to add to his already impressive racing CV.

The event held in Cheshire is the biggest meeting of the year and despite being his first time in the intermediate class, Zak showed he is a class act.

The category was for riders aged 14-17, so 14-year-old Zak was one of the youngest in the group.

It was a small technical track which played to his advantage. While some of the older riders prefer big sweeping tracks or just did not manage to get round as fast, Zak stayed focused and put on an exceptional show.

Each competitor has five rides and it could not have been closer going into the last ride. Zak lined up with Hayden Watts from Kent with the two riders tied on points. The Wincanton speedster took the win and the title.

Zak said: “He was on my back wheel for the last lap pushing me hard. It’s been a dream to win a title since I started racing when I was six.”

Zak is now looking forward to more exciting events and taking on sponsors – anyone who would like to get involved with Zak and his team can phone 07428 620423.

Zak Batey on the winner’s podium with trophy. PHOTO: Lawrence Hammonds

Ladies score five

Anyone inspired by England’s Lionesses victory in the European Championships might want to roar on Wincanton Town FC’s new ladies team, who played a friendly against Longham Ladies in Bournemouth on Sunday.

It was the first time Wincanton had played a full 90-minute, 11-a-side match against Longham Ladies, ready for the start of their inaugural season in Somerset Women’s League Division 2 (South).

The first half was even with Wincanton opening the scoring after Ella McIntyre finished well but Longham fought back to score twice before the break.

The second half started with renewed optimism and Ella McIntyre scored her second before winning a penalty coolly dispatched by Ellie Dalton. Wincanton were building in confidence and two more goals followed with one each for Ella McIntyre (hat-trick) and Ellie Dalton.

Rockies in strong goal-scoring form

by Avril Lancaster

Shaftesbury were in the goals again at Coppice Street with a 4-1 win over Poole Town.

Jack Lovell scored a hat-trick with Joe Wickham getting the other. Will Fletcher had levelled for Poole Town with a header.

Konrad Symaniak in the Rockies’ goal made an incredible double save and tipped a pile-driver over the bar as Poole pressed.

Jack Lovell bagged a hat-trick in a 6-2 victory when Shaftesbury faced Toolstation Western League Premier Division outfit Street at Coppice Street. Luke Delaney, Louis Moore and Asa Philips were also on target. The pre-season campaign has yielded 16 goals in four games.

The Reserves won the earlier 11.30am fixture 2-0. Ollie Marsh’s free- kick and an own goal saw off Somerset County League Division 1 Street Reserves.

The pre-season schedule was wrapped up with the visit of Southern League South & West Division side Lymington Town. Second-half goals from Ethan Maddocks, Joe Wickham and a Cameron Beard penalty sealed a 3-0 win.

Asa Philips congratulates Jack Lovell on scoring against Street. PHOTO: Avril Lancaster

Women’s rugby team open day inviation

North Dorset Women’s Rugby team are hosting an open evening next week to welcome new players.

The women’s team re-formed in 2018 and has been going from strength to strength. In May the club hosted their first ever women’s 10s tournament with the hosts being crowned champions and the women recently took part in another hugely successful ND7s.

After being triumphant in the women’s rugby Inner Warrior League last season, the team will now enter the NC3 South West playing regularly on Sundays against teams across Dorset Somerset, and Wiltshire.

The open evening on Wednesday, 10 August, at 7pm aims to welcome women of all abilities to the club to give rugby a try.

Training continues every Wednesday from 7-8.30pm with all abilities welcome. For more information contact Zac Pearce at zacherypearce@ndfrc.co.uk or on 07508 954397.

PHOTO: Gary Bide Photography

Hockey club in recruitment drive

Gillingham Hockey Club are continuing to thrive, running three men’s, three ladies and a junior section, but are running a recruitment drive with the season set to start soon.

The club, who have an active committee, are also looking for umpires, coaches and general helpers.

They have also just obtained the club mark accreditation, one of very few in the country.

Members are very sociable and use excellent facilities at Gillingham Social Club where they meet after games for banter and beer. Competitive hockey is also available.

Pre-season training starts at Gillingham School, Hardings Lane, on 3 August, from 7.30pm to as late as possible. Training continues into the last week of August when it is split to Monday and Wednesday, and then carries on through the hockey season.

For more information search for Gillingham Hockey Club on the internet or phone Stephen Way on 07786 894586.

Excellent turn-out for match at Colber

by William Hanson

Sturminster and Hinton Angling Club had an impressive turn-out of 28 for the match at Colber on Sunday, 24 July.

The river continues to be low and clear with most anglers being happy that the perch and rudd were feeding. Roach proved elusive for most.

The best pegs proved to be around and below the white bridge but the winner came from the very top peg with 17lbs 11ozs weighed in by Jeff Sibley with perch and skimmers on red maggot and worm.

Second was Richard Chave with 16lbs 4ozs from the peg immediately below the white bridge – lots of small rudd and roach plus a tench.

Third was Liam Baddell from the swim on the bend above Edwin’s boathouse with 12lbs 1oz, which included a monster tench, not weighed individually but estimated at over 6lbs.

John Moody was 4th from the first peg above the white bridge with 8lbs 14ozs, again mainly perch.

Section winners were: pegs 1–7 Jamie Bumby with 3lbs: pegs 8–14 Nicky Collins 5lbs 9ozs: pegs 15–21 Andy Miller 7lbs 12ozs and 22–28 was Tony Cairns with 7lbs 2ozs. The next match is on Sunday (7 August). Wincanton Golf Club

The club championship was held on 23-24 July.

Club championship winner was Maxine Portnell with the lowest combined gross –163.

Best nett score day 1 – Maxine Portnell nett 68; best nett score day 2 – Maxine Portnell nett 71; best overall nett score – Maxine Portnell combined overall score 139.

Ron Smith Trophy, 26 July. 1 John Westaway nett 65; 2 Geoff Lye nett 67; 3 Kevin Francis nett 68.