Sport

Dorchester Cricket Club claimed the 2021 Dorset Cricket Board Premier Division after a nail-biting end to the season. Shane Watson from sponsors The Dorset Funeral Plan presented the trophy that they retained after winning it in 2019 – pre-covid. On the last Saturday of the season, without a game, Dorchester had to wait until on other matches before they knew they’d won. Runners-up Poole Town for the fifth time over the last six seasons were helped by bowler Joey Wormington, the division’s leading wicket taker. The DACO Fair Play Award in the Premier League went to Sherborne.

Division 1

Moving up to the Premier League after a number of successful seasons are Division 1 champions Puddletown. The team contained the division’s three leading wicket takers; Rob Snow, Ryan Norman and Adam Weir. Swanage took the runner-up spot. The DACO Fair Play Award went to Marnhull.

Division 2

Blandford who took the title in most competitive league with only 32 points separating third and tenth, Poole Town Seconds took the runners-up spot.

Division 3

The only team to go unbeaten this season were Chalke Valley Division 3 winners. Runners-up were Charlton Down who possessed the division’s leading wicket taker in Matt Stevens.

CHAMPIONS: Shane Watson of The Dorset Funeral Plan Presents James Dunham, Jamie Barrett and Mark Derrien of Dorchester with the Premier League Championship Dorchester claim Premier crown in nail-biting finish

Division 4

Cattistock and Symene took the title with 13 wins. Runners-up were Bere Regis IIs.

Division 5 East & South

The youngsters of Winton 3s battled through the season to take the title with Dylan Lyons, Caitlin Chissell and Liam Crutchley all making more than 300 runs. Runners-up were Marnhull Secondss who fought off a youthful Wimborne 4s for the spot.

Division 5 North & West

Bradford Abbas bounced straight back after relegation in 2019. Runners-up were Blandford IIs who suffered only two reverses. Special Awards

n Sherborne’s Josh Lawrence one Player of the Season with 727 runs at an average of 121.17. n The Under 18 performance of the season went to Wimborne’s Lewis Freak for his knock of 203no against Cattistock and Symene. n Groundsman of the year Colin Randall of Wimborne created a pitch that has led to the county side returning to Dorset to play their home games. n The Club of the Season award went to Chalke Valley for accumulating the highest points total in the leagues, winning the Dorset T20 cup and getting to the last eight in the national competition. Nick Douch from Dorset’s Douch Family Funeral Directors, Dorset Funeral Plan said: “After last year’s interrupted season because of covid it was great to get back to some proper cricket. It was reassuring to see so many youngsters coming through and doing well. Sponsoring the leagues for more than 15 years has given us a great profile and we’ve seen wonderful improvement in so many of the county’s grounds.” John Ridout, chairman of Wimborne CC and treasurer of the league, said: “I must congratulate Dorchester on winning the Premier League – and on Poole for coming runners-up again. There were some great games this season and despite rain affecting games in May all the leagues were competitive. We now look ahead to 2022 and begin preparing for the next season.”

Marshall John honoured for service

Yeovil Golf Club Captain Paul Kitto held a small ceremony on the first tee of the club’s Old Course to mark the 25th anniversary of club member John Arnold taking up the position of course marshall. During that time John has seen many changes to the clubhouse, course and cembership, helping to keep the play on both the Old and Newton courses flowing during the busy times when he is on duty. He has also provided a welcome to the numerous visiting parties and societies who have played at Yeovil; many returning on an annual basis to receive another warm welcome from John as he ensured that the first tee was available as per their booking. In doing so he has welcomed people from as far away as Australia and the USA, as well as celebrities such as English cricketer Sir Ian Botham. In reflecting on his twentyfive years as course marshall, 80-year-old John was extremely surprised and delighted when he turned up for duty on the day of his 25th anniversary to find the captain, club manager and his supporting course rangers waiting to present him with an engraved whisky decanter, whisky glasses, and a bottle of whisky. Captain Paul Kitto said, “It was a pleasure to present John with his engraved mementos as he has been the welcoming face of Yeovil Golf Club to so many visitors over the year and members have been so appreciative of his role in helping things go smoothly at busy times”.

CONGRATULATIONS: John Arnold, left, receives his gift from Yeovil Golf Club captain Paul Kitto

Ace in the hole! Mark’s joy with his shot of a lifteime

Some people play golf for over forty or even fifty years and never achieve a hole in one. Not so Yeovil’s fiftyyear old Mark Smith, who achieved the acclaimed landmark after only playing the game for five years. For holes-in-one to be officially recognised they must be validated by another playing member which proved no problem for Mark as one of his playing partners in the in-house “Slashers” Golf Society was Paul Kitto, the Yeovil GC captain. Mark’s perfect pitch occurred on the par three 10th hole on the club’s Old Course. After repairing his pitch mark, Smith strolled to the back of the green where he thought his shot had been heading. One of his partners suggested he look in the hole and to everyone’s delight he found he’d hit the shot of a lifetime.

Wincanton Golf Club Results – November/December

Canadian Greensomes: November 21 Winners - Joe Atkins/Rab Clyde 47

Seniors Monthly Medal: November 23 Pete Anyan nett 69 John Morgan nett 72 Richard Strong nett 73

Seniors 3 Club: November 30 1. John Morgan 34 2. Brian White 31 3. Chris Dibben 30

Turkey Trot: December 4 Richard Ward 37 Ed Gale 36 David Cartwright 30

ALL SMILES: Some of the 400-plus entrants for the Dorset Doddlers’ Stickler event

Runners braving elements to take on the infamous Stickler

The Stickler 2021

It has been a strange couple of years for the Dorset Doddlers with many races being cancelled throughout the country. However, the Doddlers were determined to stage the ever-popular Stickler, and even the terrible storms and flooding the day before could not stop the race this year and more than 400 hardy runners lined up at the start line to take on the 10.1-mile course. Starting in Shillingstone, the runners take on the 1500ft of hills beginning with the infamous Stickle Path up to Okeford Beacon before climbing the ancient hill forts of Hod and Hambledon Hills. This year also saw the added obstacle of crossing a flooded river bridge. This year’s winner was Jacek Cieluszecki of Bournmeouth AC in a time of 1h04m46s. First lady over the line was Molly Rasch in 1h19m48s. Second and third males were Christopher Peck (1h06m42s) and Tristan Cooper (1h07m27s). Second and third ladies were Jenny Lee Marshall (1h22m47s) and Tracy Cook (1h25m23s). The winning Female Team was the Dorset Doddlers consisting of Tracy Cook, Sharon Hutchings and Rachel Harrison. First Male Team was won by the Littledown Harriers (Mark Packer, Paolo De Luca and Paul Turle). The Dorset Doddlers would like to thank all the runners who braved the weather, all the marshals and everyone who help behind the scenes. The race directors would also like to mention Telesoft, CC Moore and Honeybuns who made very generous donations to make the race a success. n For more details on the Stickler or the Dorset Doddlers please see dorsetdoddlers.co.uk

WADING IN: Runners getting wet on the Stickler course Gillingham AA Third Winter Championship match. (20 pegs) River Stour from Trill to Catholics, 28.11.21

The third winter championship was fished on a very low and clear river and competitors feared the worst. In the event the river fished better than expected with match secretary Dave Sealey taking the win with an impressive bag of 13-15 from peg 50, the swimming pool. Dave caught Roach, Dace & chublets on maggots over hemp on the stickfloat before adding some small chub on punch on the breadfeeder. Runner-up was Adie West who drew 51 and caught 4 chub & some bits on the straight lead and bread to weigh 11-04. 3rd: Pete Edwards- 10-04 4th: Rob Manns- 9-04 5th:Jason Mills- 9-01 6th: Kev Harvey- 5-02. The next match is on the 12th December 12. Book in with Dave on (01747)823159. The following week, the 19th, is the Christmas match.

Angling Trust Upper Thames Winter League Round 6 . K & A Canal on Marlboro water (48 pegs) 28.11.21

The sixth round of the upper Thames winter league was fished on the K & A Canal on Marlboros water from Milkhouse to Brimslade. Winner on the day was Kev Bennett (PI Thatchers) who drew the first peg at Brimslade and had a fantastic weight of 27.15, consisting of Perch, Roach, Hybrids to 3lb and Bream to 2.5lb all caught over worms and casters on redworms, maggots and casters at 9m down the track.

n Ashley Bristow with his 35lb carp and, right, Chris Martin, the November 17 match winner

n Lee Rimmer with his 24.04lb carp and, right, Pete Upperton, the November 20 match winner It’s a busy time for anglers

Runner up was Dan McDonald (Sensas Devizes) who drew next peg to Kev at Brimslade and caught mainly hybrids to 3lb with a few Perch on chopped worm to weigh 22-12. 3rd: Troy Weaver (DGL)13-12 4th: Mike Berntsen (Garbolino Blackmore Vale)10-14 5th: Gary Townsend (Sensas Lobbys)- 8-15 6th: Mark Brush (DGL)- 615 On the team front Garbolino Blackmore Vale took the match with 37 points from PI Thatchers on 35 and Sensas Devizes on 30. 4th: Daiwa Gordon League 29 5th: Matrix Talismen- 19 6th: Sensas Lobbys- 15 This means that PI Thatchers have won the league for the first time with 15 points from DGL in second with 17 and Garbolino Blackmore vale in third with 19 points. 4th: Sensas Devizes-21 5th: Matrix Talismen- 25 6th: Sensas Lobbys- 29 Thanks to all the clubs who provided water and to those that run the matches and pegged out.

Sturminster and Hinton Angling Assoc. The second Winter Points Match took place at Colber on Sunday November 28 2021 when eight anglers took part. It was a bright, cold and frosty morning which did not bode well for the day’s fishing but everyone caught and it turned out much better than expected. Top weight of 8lbs 14 ozs came from the second swim above the old railway bridge where Dennis Corry had roach to over a pound on maggot and pinkie. Jeff Sibley was second in the next downstream peg where he had 8lbs 7 ozs of perch and some roach on worm, maggot and pinkie. Third place went to Simon Dennis, between the bridges, again with a mixed bag of perch and roach to total 8-1. It was all very tight at the top. The next match will be the Annual Christmas Match at Revels fishery on Sunday, December 12.

Willow Bank Koko Kolev landed a 28.5lb carp on a 24-hour session, Liam Oldcroft caught a 23lb 12oz. Carl Pumfrey and Matt put in 48hrs on Willow Bank and landing an impressive 23.14lb common carp and 18lb mirror carp.

Big Hayes Andrew Batchelor landed a 31.2lb carp and Shaun Davis a 31.11lb carp. Scooby Steve landed 3 carp 25.6, 27.4 and a 31.10. Completing a 72hour session, caught 3 fish, including a new pb at 28.7. Lee Rimmer brought in a carp at 24.04lb, 20lb and Ashley Bristow landed 35.6lb, 13lb, 23lb and 26.6lb

Paddock Katy Gamble fished paddock lake and caught 2 carp, the biggest was a 22lb 08 common.

Wadmill Bradley Smith landed 4 carp up to 17lb on a 48-hour session. Rory Pickford fished for 2 days 1 night, which resulted in 18 carp including 2 20’s up to 23lb 8oz, while Jordan Ashman landed a 19.8lb carp and 25.2lb mirror carp.

Big & Little Hayes Pairs Match A tough but very close first qualifier in the Todber Big Hayes and Little Hayes £10,000 pairs competition. 21 carp were caught across the two lakes over the weekend with the biggest coming from Big Hayes weighing 28lb 15oz. It was extremely close on Big Hayes with 21lb 15oz securing second which meant all anglers on the lake were well within a chance of grabbing a qualifying spot throughout the match. Little Hayes was very close too with three pairs battling it out for the top two spots right till the end. There was just over 1lb between second and third.

Big Hayes 1st: Dean Clark & Asa Wyatt 47lb 3oz (Peg 10) 2nd: Joe Phillips & Ryan Phillips 21lb 15oz (Peg 1)

Little Hayes 1st: Dan Trowbridge & Jack Bailey 58lb 2oz (Peg 15) 2nd: Martin Noble & Perry Webb 46lb 12oz (Peg 19).