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Sport
New Blackmore Vale, August 6, 2021 Sport Title battles as season draws to close
Dorset Premier Cricket League, July 31
Sherborne 271-8 Cattistock 220-7 Sherborne (18pts) bt Cattistock (9) by 51 runs
Sherborne stayed in touching distance of leaders Dorchester with a crucial victory over Cattistock. Sherborne are in a chasing pack, 33 points behind the leaders but with a game in hand – and are at home to Dorchester tomorrow. They also play secondplaced Poole Town in their penultimate game in what is an enthralling end to the season. Mark Roca scored 104, supported by Marc Lock (52), and a quickfire 34 off 20 balls from Shane Pulling helped Sherborne post a competitive 271 off 37 overs. Pulling then took 3-34 as Cattistock at one stage threatened as half-centuries from Gurd and Mullins took the total to 168-2. But a revised target of 277 from 37 overs proved too much for the visitors.
Division 1 Portland Stalbridge Portland (20pts) bt Stalbridge by 91 runs 266-6 175
Stalbridge’s chance of winning the division has all but disappeared, this defeat leaving them 61 points behind leaders Puddletown with four games to go. Portland batted first and were pegged back to 54-3. But Chris Theakstone (104) and opener Dave Adkins (61) put on a 125-run stand, the centurion staying at the crease to guide Portland to a strong total aided by 40 wides bowled by Stalbridge. A spell of 8-1-19-3 from Matthew Rendell then strangled the Stalbridge batsmen, Chris Warne top scoring for the visitors with 42.
KSCC in hunt for T20 glory
Kilmington & Stourton U19s have won through to the playoffs for a place in the county finals of the T20 Vitality Somerset Trophy. Victory over Ilminster sealed progress, Kenton Ward taking 3-24 as the visitors were restricted to 126/6. In response, KSCC coasted to victory led by captain Charlie Cassidy (52) and Henry Dimmack (55) . Shirt sponsor Gardy Adlem said: “I’m very proud of the U19 team this year. They have played exceptionally and deserve to go through to the final.” Back row, from left: Kai Marks, Will Vellacott, Nelson Burles, Spencer Pearce, Spencer Chinnock, Henry Dimmack, Gary Adlem. Front: Austin Andrews, Charlie Cassidy, Arthur Dimmack, Fergus Wingate-Saul.
Compton House 116 Marnhull 120-6 Marnhull (19pts) bt Compton (5) by four wickets
Division 2 Blandford 138-7 Corfe Mullen 129-8 Blandford (17pts) bt Corfe Chalke Valley take Dorset T20 Cup
Chalke Valley won the first Dorset T20 Cup, beating Sherborne by 77 runs in the final. Chalke scored 163-7, with Shane Pulling taking 3-29. Josh Lawrence hit 37 in reply but Joe Weld took 5-8 as Chalke kept control. Josh Goodchild then took four wickets as Sherborne subsided to 86 all out. Chalke Valley beat Bradley Stoke, from the Bristol League, in the 1st Round of the National Competition. They now compete in the Regional South Finals Day, on August 22. Mullen by nine runs Blandford stayed in contention for the title with a close win over Corfe Mullen that left them three points behind league leaders Poole Town 2nds. After their previous win against Cerne Valley by just six runs, Blandford again held their nerve in a lowscoring match. The hosts scored 128 off 33 overs with opener Luke Carter staying at the crease while those around him perished. Luke finished 64 not out, with only Ryan Boardwell (23) and Stuart Robbins (13) also making double figures. Defending a slim total, the opening four bowlers all kept it tight with Robert Harding (2-23) and Aaron Day (2-25) the pick, both off seven overs. There were no wides or no balls as Corfe were reduced to 110-8, Stannard’s late 14no not enough to change the result.
Shillingstone 135 Dorchester 2nds 176-5 Dorchester (20pts) bt Shillingstone by 41 runs
The game was in Shillingstone’s grasp as Dorchester fell to 76-5. But Raj Lehal (62no) and Matt Porter (44no) added 100 for the sixth wicket and the hosts faced a competitive total. Lee Elsworth was the pick of Shillingstone’s bowlers, with 3-29. In reply, Chris Cole (26) and Nick Marshall (16) took the team past the half-century mark for the loss of one wicket, only for a collapse to 67-5 but with no magic partnership to rescue the situation. Elsworth added 31 and Michael Angell 17 as Shillingstone succumbed
Buckhorn CC extends cricket family
As well as holding its first children’s cricket festival, Buckhorn Weston CC has also started a women’s team, writes Roz Hartley
On a grey morning, a few ominous clouds gathered over the ground on the morning of July 24. But that didn’t stop 31 children, aged 6-8, being keen and raring to go in their All Stars’ cricket gear. They travelled from Stalbridge, Marnhull and Buckhorn for a morning of cricket. We jumbled teams, split them into groups (tigers, lions, zebras and monkeys) and let the games begin: four matches on two pitches, with everyone given the chance to bowl, bat, and field. Those waiting to bat had a go at other cricket-related activities in a festival that was the culmination of eight weeks of Friday afternoon cricket. Katie Ridewood has been running the English Cricket board All Stars and Dynamo sessions and has been thrilled by the turnout. “Children came regardless of the weather, drizzle or heatwave and enthusiasm didn’t waiver,” she said. “They exhibited great skills and excellent teamwork over eight weeks but also a real kindness and support for each other.” I saw children from all three clubs mixing happily over their shared enjoyment of cricket. I asked how cricket made them feel. Lucas Cole said: “I love cricket so much I’ll be playing it when I’m 80.” Sophie Rutter added: “I like cricket even more than school.” There were medals for best batters, bowlers and allrounders, handed out by Liz Basson who organised the festival with the support of an ECB. “I hope this is the first of many” she said, as she thanked children, parents and helpers for coming. n Buckhorn and Shaftesbury CC are holding kids cricket camps. Buckhorn’s is on Aug 20 for 6-11s: book a place with organiser Katie Ridewood (07908 658359). Shaftesbury CC is has two camps: Aug 13 for 11-13s and Aug 25 for 8-10s, £30 per child. Email shaftesburycricket@ outlook.com.
CRICKET MAD: Lucas Cole and Sophie Rutter take part
By Roz Hartley Remember last spring and that first awful lockdown? My business dried up overnight and my children were at home all day. We walked a lot and tried not to get on each other's nerves. By July 2020, I was desperate for something different, something new. Enter the Ladies of Buckhorn Weston Cricket Club (LBW), meeting every Friday for a fun evening of cricket. Growing up in the 70s and 80s at a girls’ grammar school, cricket was never an option. I'd watched it on the village green but I’d never played. At 49 was I simply too old to give it a go? Probably, but the allure of social interaction in the fresh air only 200 yards from my home was strong. I pulled on my old trainers and stepped out. Awaiting me were 15 or so friendly faces: women of all ages and cricketing abilities and a very welcoming and energetic coach. We threw (bowled) and hit (batted), chatted and laughed and needless to say, I was hooked. Friday practice became a little beacon of joy amidst the gloom. This season we have an incredible 31 playing women including my daughter Leila (aged 13 to 60+). We play friendlies against Kilmington, Stalbridge, Sherborne and Marnhull and field two teams in the local league. The club is thriving and I love being a part of it. If you're tempted to give it a go, just dive straight in: buckhornwestoncc.co.uk
WON OVER: Roz Hartley and daughter Leila
New Blackmore Vale, August 6, 2021 Sport Sherborne hit six in season opener
Toolstation Western League Div 1, July 31
Sherborne Town 6 Hengrove Athletic 1
The first league game of the year for Sherborne resulted in an emphatic 6-1 win for the Zebras with goals from six different players. Skipper George Mapletoft and Alex Murphy put Sherborne 2-0 up within four minutes before 16-year-old debutant Jude McCarthy pulled one back for the visitors. But four goals after the break from Steve Burton, Henry Napier-Lawrence on debut and substitutes Ollie Hebbard and Tom Beeson completed the rout before a crowd of 152. “A perfect start to the season,” tweeted Beeson. Said Hengrove’s match report: “Maybe a harsh scoreline, 4-1 would have seemed fairer to a side containing five 16-year-olds, a 17-year-old and a 19-yearold but in the end, no one could deny the Zebras a well-deserved three points.” Still, you win nothing with kids, and Sherborne fully celebrated their start to the season. “Brilliant game, great crowd – and how fantastic to see a full bar at the end of the game,” said Mark Simon Taylor on Facebook. Before the game Sherborne manager Wayne Jerome said it was the first time that he had cover in every position. “It will help us no end and I am looking forward to the season ahead. “We haven’t set ourselves targets as it feels like we are going into the unknown once again.”
FOOTBALL FIXTURES Toolstation Western League Div 1, Aug 7 Gillingham v Lebeq Utd Devizes Town v Sherborne Hengrove v Wincanton Aug 10 Wincanton v Sherborne Aug 14 WE’RE BACK! Above, Sherborne warm up before kick off and right, Man of the match Matty Brown receives his award from match sponsor Jo Reynolds
Wincanton Town 2 Longwell Green Sports 3
A sending off and poor second half did for The Wasps after an exhilarating start. Tom Richardson had a shot tipped over the bar in the first minute – then scored with a header from the resulting corner. But within 10 minutes, Longwell were in front from a header and soft penalty, only for Toby Dolton Cole to pull Wincanton level with a tap-in. All in the first 17 minutes! The frenetic action continued with Jamie Thompson clearing off the line for Wincanton before being subbed off with injury on 49 minutes. The Wasps were under pressure and changed formation, only for Dolton Cole to be sent off for a foul. “Frustrating start to season. Started so well, 1-0 up early but went into the break at 22, then the second half was frustrating. A red meant playing most of it with 10,” said the club’s Twitter. “Second half having a lack of creativity, much improvement to be made: manager not happy.”
Portishead v Wincanton Sherborne v Wells Tyth Rocks v Gillingham Aug 17 Wincanton v Gillingham Aug 18 Warminster v Sherborne FA Cup qualifying, Aug 7 Amesbury v Shaftesbury Wessex League Premier Aug 10 Shaftesbury v Amesbury Aug 14 Hamble v Shaftesbury Dorset Premier League Aug 14 Balti Sports v Blandford Portland II v Stur Newton Gillingham Town 0 Portishead Town 3
New boys Gillingham made a poor start in the Western League having moved up from the Dorset Premier League. Two goals for Dan Parslow, one from Callum Eastwood sealed a win for the visitors.
The North Dorset 7s rugby festival returned to North Dorset RFC on the July 24, and despite a threatening weather forecast and the persistence of covid-19 achieved record attendance of 2,000, raising £2,000 for Cardiac Risk in the Young. Due to numerous last-minute cancellations from competing teams having to self-isolate, the u-18 tournament planned for Friday evening had to be cancelled at the last minute. But 64 teams still descended upon North Dorset to compete on seven pitches in Men’s Elite, Men’s Social, Men’s Veterans 10s and Women’s competitions. The Women’s tournament offered fierce competition, with 16 sides competing in four different groups, with the top two teams heading into the Recharge Fitness Cup. Bath Rugby Ladies, Barnes Bears, specialist invitational 7s side Cats and London Irish all topped their groups with an unbeaten record and went through. Bath RL, only forming a partnership with Bath Rugby as recently as May, dispatched London Irish in the semi with an impressive 40-7 win but were edged out in the final by Cats, the former winners of Dubai International 7s, by 31-10. The Elite Men’s competition was ringfenced to a group of 12 teams playing in three groups. North Dorset’s own ND Allstars did their home fans proud by topping their group with an unbeaten record, all the more impressive given they volunteered to move up after a last-minute drop-out less than 24 hours before. The home side were knocked out in a narrow 12-17 defeat in the quarter finals, and the eventual winners were Shredded Ducks, an invitational 7s side from Bristol. The Ducks have won the Dave Worthington Cup at ND7s consecutively in the last three tournaments. The team was rarely tested throughout the day, only conceding 31 points in six games. And they successfully defended the title, beating Cats 7s 40-7 in the final. Dave Worthington’s daughters Olivia and Mary along with Gloucester and Italy backrow-forward Jake Polledri presented the trophy – ironically Jake was a Shredded Duck himself on his pathway to professional and international rugby union. n ND7s 2022 is confirmed for the weekend of July 23, 2022. Tickets and information will be launched shortly at nd7s.co.uk.
CHAMPIONS The Shredded Ducks take delivery of the Dave Worthington Cup for the third year in a row
Three duck wins in a row at North Dorset 7s day out
Once, twice, six times a champion
Scratch golfer Harriet Teversham is Yeovil Golf Club’s Lady Champion for the fourth year in a row after competing two rounds of golf with a gross score of -1 under par. Having won the Lady Championship in 2015 and 2016, her run of wins may have been even longer but for a traffic jam in 2017 meant Harriet missing her tee time. Her 2021 score was good enough to win both the Pittard Cup and Pittard Statuette for the best gross and nett scores respectively. Lady Vice-Captain Isabelle Mace also won trophies for both the best gross and nett scores in the corresponding 18-hole competition. This year’s Lady Champion’s Day was played in temperatures of 30°C with 60% humidity that left many members admiring the stamina of those who played 36-holes over the Club’s Old Course. n Paul Gammage won his first competition at Yeovil GC since joining in 2015. With a 17 handicap, he beat 52 other members over two rounds to become 2021 Club Handicap Champion.
