Sport

Cheriton Comets shot down by AFC

Blackmore Vale Football League

May 9 AFC Blandford 2 South Cheriton Comets 1

On a distinctly unspring-like morning,this match turned on a decisive period shortly before the break. Looking likely to fall behind to a penalty, following a reckless mistimed challenge on the edge of the area, Blandford were given a reprieve when the spot kick was comfortably saved by the keeper. To compound their good fortune, immediately from the re-start Archie McCarthy found himself in on goal and fired high in the top corner at the near post to put them ahead. Although Comets started to enjoy greater control and possession in the second half, Laws raided the centre back, calmly slotting past the keeper to double the advantage. A header against the Comets’ bar fell into the arms of the keper but pressure on Blandford began to tell. The lead was halved 15 minutes from time when a shot was partially stopped by Pike but still made its way into the net. In a desperate search for an equaliser in the last ten minutes, Comets hit the outside of both posts with well struck drives and even sent their keeper forward for an injury time corner. The second half also saw a nasty clash (albeit accidental in a 50/50 challenge) with both players carried off. Iain Fullerton

n AFC Blandford are poised to become runners-up to runaway champions Wincanton United when the league finishes on June 12. We will publish an interview with the League’s marketing and media officer Jamie Denne in the next issue of the NBV.

SHOULDER CHARGE: Midfield tussle as South Cheriton Comets in blue beat Donhead 4-1 Pic: Connor Standfield

Other results May 9: Bruton United Colts 1 Donhead Barbarians 9; Team Gryphon 8 Bradford Abbas 0; Wincanton Utd 9 Stur Rovers 0. May 2: Bradford Abbas 7 Bruton United 2; Donhead Barbarians 1 South Cheriton Comets 4; TGR 1 Blandford 2; Wincanton 3 Gryphon 2.

To May 8 P W D L GD Pts

Wincanton United 16 16 0 0 68 48 Team Gryphon 15 7 3 5 9 24 South Cheriton Comets 15 7 3 5 2 24 AFC Blandford 11 7 1 3 26 22 Donhead Barbarians 15 6 3 6 27 21 Bradford Abbas 15 6 2 7 -4 20 TGR 15 5 2 8 -10 17 Sturminster Rovers 15 5 2 8 -17 17 * Hazelbury Hornets 8 1 0 7 -38 3 Bruton United Colts 13 0 2 11 -63 2

* Hazelbury withdrew from the league in March

Tisbury bounce back to beat group leaders Chickerell

Dorset Senior League Cup

May 8 Sturminster Marshall 1 Stalbridge 1

Tisbury United 4 Chickerell 2

Tisbury were looking to bounce back from their 4-0 pasting on Monday knowing only a win would keep semifinal hopes alive. Leaders Chickerell dominated early exchanges and would have been ahead but for some outstanding saves by Sharks’ goalie Cameron Miller. Lee Gale gave Tisbury the lead then added a second from a free kick 25 yards out. Mike Budd smashed in a third, Chickerell found a way back with a deflected strike but the outstanding Gale completed a hat-trick on the hour. The visitors scored a late consolation but Tisbury deserved victory with a spirited performance. The team were due to play Westland Sports Reserves on Wednesday with victory assuring a semi-final slot with Merley Cobham Reserves or Chickerell. Failing that Tisbury has a chance to win a semi place in their last game against Beaminster tomorrow. In the other group, Stalbridge gained a creditable draw against Sturminster Marshall in their penultimate game. The two semi-finalists in the group will be between Sturminster, Hamworthy or Broadstone.

May 3 Beaminster 4 Tisbury United 0 Tisbury were looking for a sixth victory on the spin but Beaminster, without a win in the competition, played with a hunger and physicality that unsettled The Sharks. The home side took the lead on 30 mins with a headed goal from a free kick and after the break, Tisbury pressed for an equaliser. A goal was ruled out for offside, then Beaminster went 2-0 up. Heads dropped and the home side added two in the last minutes to complete a flattering scoreline. Dan Carter

Gills on course to make the semi final

Dorset Premier Supplementary Cup

May 8 Gillingham Town 2 Bournemouth Sports 0

Merley Cobham Sport 5 Shaftesbury Town Res 1

Gillingham moved closer to a semi-final slot after a comfortable 2-0 win with goals from Rhys Mendham and Iwan Walters.With the top two from each group going through, Town need two points from their last two games, against leaders Merley Cobham and Holt. The 2-0 win was a relief to The Gills, who had lost their last two league games having led Group A into May. In the other weekend match, Shaftesbury Town Reserves threatened an upset when they led Cobham1-0. But the home side took over in the second half, with Asa Phillips and Nathan Saxby scoring twice in a 5-1 win. Shaftesbury play Sturminster tomorrow and round off their fixtures against Cobham. In Group B, Hamworthy Rec have qualified for the semis. The other semi-final slot is between Westland Sports and Balti Sports – who play each other tomorrow. If Balti lose, they must win their game in hand against Hamworthy to stand a chance of going through.

May 4 Shaftesbury Town Res 2 Gillingham Town 1 The match couldn't have started any better for the Gills as from their first attack, great footwork from Harry Browne and a fine finish into the corner put them ahead after two minutes. With the wind playing a massive factor in the game, Shaftesbury struggled to get a foothold but in their first real attack Town were level with a cooly taken goal.The second half was an even contest and with the wind dropping both teams were able to start playing some decent football. The Gills had a great opportunity to take the lead in the 65th minute as Buddy O’Shea went one on one with the keeper only to put his effort wide of the far post. But on the stroke of 70 minutes Shaftesbury scored the winner with a fine low shot into the bottom corner. Liam Searle

GOLDEN TOUCH: A rainbow appears for Shaftesbury v Gills Pic: Amy Crawford

Sturminster Newton Utd 2 Bournemouth Sports 0 United continued their mini run of form with a solid victory thanks to two goals from William Guppy.

GROUP A P W D L GD Pts

Merley Cobham Sports 7 7 0 0 24 21 Gillingham Town 8 6 0 2 7 18 Shaftesbury Town Res 8 4 1 3 1 13 Bournemouth Sports 10 3 1 6 -10 10 Sturminster Newton Utd 9 2 1 6 -11 7 Holt United 8 1 1 6 -11 4

May 1 Merley Cobham Sports 2 Gillingham Town 0 The Gills missed a penalty and couldn’t crack a solid Cobham defence, despite the home side being down to nine men at one point.

Shaftesbury Town Res 1 Sturminster Newton Utd 1 George Coleman scored the goal for Stur that gave the visitors a well-deserved result in a difficult campaign.

Up to May 8. Top two in each group go to semi-finals

Wincanton FC suffer another vandal attack

Wincanton FC has again been the target of a vandalism attack at its ground. A small fire was set in a dugout and bottles smashed nearby and on the pitch. It follows a more destructive incident last September when paint was poured over seats and into the generator, fencing pulled down and fuel and electrical wires cut. The club is based at Wincanton Sports Ground on Moor Lane, which has itself recently installed barriers to keep cars out when the grounds are not in use due to vandalism. Wincanton FC spokesman Steve d’Arcy said: “This keeps happening at our ground and it is putting a financial strain on our club. Somehow we are going to have to find funds to make sure the site is secure from vandals.” He has posted a short video of the latest damage at wincantontownfc.net. Police are aware of the incident.

Sport Record number of children sign up for cricket coaching classes

Hundreds of children have signed up for England Cricket’s children coaching programmes across the Blackmore Vale. The All Stars programme is for children aged 5-8, and the Dynamos Cricket programme for 8-11s. Dorset Cricket Board says that, as of April 29, some 749 children had signed up across the county, compared with 717 last year. There are several cricket clubs hosting the one-hour programmes for eight weeks, with differing start dates. Some have already begun and Shaftesbury’s All Star programme is booked out, with more than 40 children. But others are still available. Puddletown CC begins this evening, Mere CC runs All Stars on Saturday mornings from tomorrow and Blandford on Sunday mornings, starting this weekend. Other cricket clubs running one or both programmes include Buckhorn Weston (from Jun 4) and Stour Provost (Jun 6). The eight-week courses cost £40. More info and sign up: ecb.clubspark.uk/junior

CRICKET FIXTURES MAY 15

Dorset Cricket Board Premier League Martinstown v Sherborne

Division One Marnhull v Witchampton Portland v Puddletown Beaminster v Compton House Stalbridge v Weymouth Division Two Blandford v Shillingstone Corfe Mullen v Shaftesbury

SHILLINGSTONE LADIES: In a T20 cup match on May 3, Shillingstone beat South Wilts CC by 35 runs. Put into bat, Lucie Spooner top scored for Shillingstone with 83 from a total of 154/2. In reply, South Wilts were bowled out for 119. Holly Morgan took 3-26. Dorset women play hardball

Women’s cricket is growing fast across Dorset with both softball and hardball leagues starting from this weekend. On Sunday, 17 softball teams will play in two leagues: NW Dorset consists of Buckhorn Weston, Puddletown (both two teams), Kilmington and Stourton, Marnhull, Sherborne and Stalbridge. Meanwhile, six teams will make up the Super 8 Hardball League which starts in June: Parley, Poole and Winton, Broadstone, Shillingstone, Puddletown, The surge of interest is testament to the hard work put by Katrina Cole, Women and Girls Cricket Development Officer at the Dorset Cricket Board. She joined in 2019 and organised softball cricket festivals to attract new women to the game: more than 400 took part. “In 2019, a lot of the players were new to cricket,” said Katrina. She believes the festivals were a catalyst for the creation of the leagues. “We were set up to go in 2020 but it didn’t happen. The leagues have developed because people want to be more competitive.” The fact that schools now choose cricket as a girls summer sport, rather than rounders, has furthered interest along with increased ECB funding of the women’s game. Katrina is encouraging women and girls (12+) to take an interest. “There are about 25 clubs that play Women's Softball Cricket friendly games which would welcome new members.”. For more info, visit: dorsetcricketboard. co.uk/news

MAY 22 Division One Swanage v Marnhull Compton H v Hamworthy Puddletown v Stalbridge

Division Two Cerne Valley v Blandford Shaftesbury v Dorchester Corfe Mullen v Shillingstone FOOTBALL FIXTURES MAY 15

Dorset Premier Supplementary Cup 3pm Gillingham Town v Merley Cobham Sports Sturminster Newton United v Shaftesbury Town Reserves

Dorset Senior League Cup Stalbridge v Broadstone FC Seniors Tisbury United v Beaminster MAY 16 Blackmore Vale Football League AFC Blandford v TGR Bruton United Colts v Sturminster Rovers Donhead v Bradford Abbas

MAY 22 Dorset Premier Supplementary Cup 3pm Holt United v Gillingham Shaftesbury Town Reserves v Merley Cobham Sports

Sport Lawrence of Sherborne leads a rout

Dorset Premier League

May 1 Sherborne CC 271/9 Broadstone 226/8 (Target 248 off 36 overs) Sherborne (19pts) beat Broadstone (12) by 21 runs

Skipper and opening batsman Josh Lawrence led the way, scoring 131 as Sherborne got their season off to a flyer. His score came off just 104 balls with 26 boundaries, including five sixes, as Lawrence accounted for almost half the imposing Sherborne total. It was also his fifth-highest score for Sherborne, having played on and off for the club since 2010. Shane Pulling also contributed a quickfire 43 which included two sixes as Sherborne piled on the runs. Rain delays reduced Broadstone’s target to 248 off 36 overs and the home team were on course at 138-3 with Daniel Cook on 53. But he fell to Emlyn Kuhn whose four wickets for 41 proved decisive. Ed Jack finished on 69no but the spirited Broadstone response fell short.

Division 1 Stalbridge 221/5 Swanage 185-7 (Target 211 off 35 overs) Stalbridge (18pts) beat Swanage (7) by 36 runs

Half centuries from Stuart Sweatman (75) and James Lewis (89no) saw Stalbridge post a decent total off 40 overs. Sweatman (3-21) and Steve Forshaw (2-26) then savaged Swanage’s top order but a battling 103no from Craig Wells kept the game alive. Mr Extras was second highest scorer for Swanage (36) in a rain affected match.

THE CAP FITS: Johnsons Stalbridge is sponsoring caps for Shaftesbury Cricket Club kids. Managing director Don Smith said: “My son plays: it’s a great place with a strong family and community focus.”The Under 9s, seen here with coaches Tim Bradford and Graham Hipworth, won their first match of the season v Marnhull by nine runs.

Hamworthy 68/4 Marnhull 0/0 Match abandoned: Hamworthy (5pts), Marnhull (7pts)

Puddletown 146/6 Compton House 144/8 Puddletown (19pts) beat Compton (6) by two runs

Compton House made slow progress, held back by tight bowling, with only Michael Harper keeping the scorer busy with 57. The Compton House total of 144 off 38 overs was never likely to trouble Puddletown, although it remained a contest with no batsman able to reach 30. Compton used seven bowlers, the pick of which was Chris Haynes with 3-27. Division 2 Blandford 109-3 Shaftesbury 108 all out Blandford (20pts) beat Shaftesbury (3) by 7 wickets

Robert Harding took five wickets for just 12 runs to help bowl out Shaftesbury for 108 in 28.1 overs. At one stage the visitors were 42-6 but late hitting by Peiter Becker and Sam Harris, who both scored 26, saw Shaftesbury squeeze past the 100 mark. James Woodruff (42) and Jamie Mitchell (35) steered Blandford to victory.

Shillingstone 153 all out Broadstone 2nds 154/5 Broadstone (20pts) beat Shillingstone (6) by 5 wickets North Dorset sides in the top three divisions were rained off. Each receive five points.

Premier League Sherborne v Bere Regis In the two games played, Martinstown and Dorchester beat Broadstone and Poole respectively.

Division One Marnhull v Beaminster Compton House v Stalbridge Only Swanage v Portland escaped the weather, Swanage winning by 15 runs.

Division Two Poole 2nds v Blandford Shaftesbury v Shillingstone Broadstone 2nds beat Corfe Mullen in the only game to go ahead.

Gillingham pick up sticks

After England Hockey declared leagues null and void in March, Gillingham Hockey Club held three interclub games in April when play was allowed to resume. The games at King’s School, Bruton were well attended, with 48 keen players who took part in three 50-minute games. Two mixed sides will take place in a summer league at Salisbury, and a Ladies and Mens sides will take part in a seven-a-side tourno in Yeovil. Full training is planned ahead of the 2021-22 season but it is unlikely to be at St Mary’s School, Shaftesbury as hoped. Dorset Council says community use of the sports facilities including tennis, swimming and sub-aqua groups will only be permitted from September, 2022.

Stride out with the Doddlers...

The Dorset Doddlers running club begins its weekly summer runs on May 18, starting at 7pm from The Cricketers pub in Shroton. Internal club races begin on May 20 with the Broad Oak Hilly. Sunday Club runs are also planned. Meanwhile, training sessions continue on Tuesday evenings in Shaftesbury, Sturminster Newton on Thursdays. For beginners, a Couch to 5k course will start on May 31 and run for ten weeks, with the intention that the participants graduate by running the 5K race held in conjunction with the Stur Half on August 8. The Doddlers welcome partners, relatives, friends who want to get into running so please encourage them to join the team. Details will be posted on dorsetdoddlers.co.uk soon and a dedicated Facebook page is planned.

... or ride out with the Wheelers

Ever wanted to ride in a group or with a club but unsure about where to start? Try the Gillingham Wheelers’ non-members’ introductory rides where you will be taken on a no-drop on road ride of about 15 miles on quiet roads at a pace appropriate to the group, with a cafe stop, and under the guidance of British Cycling Level 1 Qualified Ride Leaders. All you will need is a road worthy bike, helmet and appropriate clothing, and of course enthusiasm to ride. The rides are on May 22 and June 5. Go to gdw.org.uk to obtain an entry form.

Newton golf course suits Malcolm to a tee

Stalbridge golfer Malcolm Slarke became a golf club member for the first time last May, at the end of the first lockdown. His membership of Yeovil Golf Club allowed play on the nine-hole Newton Course. But in November, golf courses were shut again for a month, re-opened then closed for a third time in January. The interruptions didn’t put Malcolm off his stroke. With golf resuming in FIRST TROPHY: Malcolm Slarke April, he promptly won the best score of the day ashis first ever club she topped Division One.competition. Carole Ollington won DivHe scored 39 points in a Stableford format, playing twice around the Newton course. He scored a storming 24 points on the back nine, Two. n Sherborne Golf Club has become the second in the area to be awarded SafeGolf accreditation. The scheme encouragesputting his success down to anyone with a concern aboutnavigating the tricky dog-leg the welfare of a player, or7th and 8th holes. the behaviour of coach,The next day, sprightly 77- volunteer, organiser, parent –year-old Dave Lonsdale or player – can contact theposted the best overall score lead safeguarding officer atof the day among 88 players England Golf. in the optional Senior Yeovil Golf Club was Stableford competition on awarded the accreditation in the Old Course. March. Dave scored 40 points to Sherborne general manager also take first prize in Alasdair Danson-Webster Division Three. Jim Paterson said: “These standards will (38pts) won Division One enable us to continue to and Michael Bennett took work towards safeguarding Division Two. the welfare of children and In the Ladies Stableford, young people, as well as Janie Minogue (37pts) was adults at risk.”

WINCANTON GOLF CLUB RESULTS Seniors Monthly Stableford Apr 13: 1 John Morgan (41); 2 Trevor Mills (39); 3 Kevin Dineen (38 ocb); 4 Derek Street (38); 5 John Westaway (38). Monthly medal, Apr 17: 1 Jim Stephen (69 ocb); 2 Richard Czemerda (69); 3 Mike Doddington (70). Seniors Monthly Medal, Apr 20: 1 Pete Anyan (62); Trevor Mills (65); 3 Harry Eden (67). Pairs Shield, Apr 25: Winners: Richard Ward/Pete Anyan (75). Best individual score: Bert Hicks (40).