Sport

Welton Rovers 1 Sherborne Town FC 2

By Stuart Wickham

sport@westdorsetmag.co.uk A late Alex Murphy goal proved decisive in this enthralling top-of-the-table encounter, which saw Sherborne Town increase their lead at the summit of the Toolstation League 1 at the expense of their closest title challengers. With just seconds of normal time remaining, Murphy applied the deftest of touches to deflect Ollie Hebbard’s drilled effort into the net, sparking scenes of jubilation on the pitch and among the large travelling support. Welton Rovers’ appeals for offside were rightly waved away, with home keeper Alfie Kelsey receiving his marching orders for protesting too much. Although both teams boasted identical records prior to the game, recent form told a different story. The Zebras had arrived at the home of their title challengers on the back of a 10-match unbeaten run in the league, while their opponents were winless in six. The windy conditions made attractive football difficult, and the Zebras struggled to clear their lines in the opening minutes. Town’s keeper, Jake Attwood, newlycrowned as League One Player of the Month for January, had to be alert and was forced into action, making a smart save from a Rovers’ free kick, and acting as sweeper to clear the danger on a number of occasions. The Zebras weathered the early storm and slowly edged into the

game. They spurned a couple of half-chances before opening the scoring just after the half-hour mark, with Aaron White thumping the ball home from 12 yards, following an Ant Herrin corner. Both teams had opportunities to score as the game opened up.

Attwood again had to be alert as Rovers threated on the break and a Jake Slocombe effort for the hosts was chalked off for offside.

Town missed chances to increase their advantage early in the second half, with

Murphy failing to get a good enough connection to trouble

Kelsey and an untimely bobble causing Hebbard to skew wide with the goal at his mercy. The Zebras were left to rue missed chances as Rovers found a way past the impressive Town defence with less than 10 minutes remaining, substitute Will Gould deflecting Jake Slocombe’s free kick beyond the Town keeper. The match looked like it might be heading for a hard-earned draw before Murphy’s late intervention secured the three points for visitors, cementing their position at the top of the league, and making the trip back to Sherborne a very happy one.

ON THE RUN: Goalscorer Alex Murphy in action for Sherborne against Welton and, inset below, the Zebras celebrate Aaron White’s opener Pictures: JRH MEDIA It’s Murphy’s law as Zebras see off title rivals in thriller

SHERBORNE: Attwood, White, Budden, LawrenceNapier, Williams, Brown (Hughes 60), Farthing, Cornish (Carney 90+1), Murphy (Jackson 90+1), Herrin, Hebbard. Goals: White (31), Murphy (90). Attendance: 183. MOTM: White.

UP FOR IT: Sherborne RFC First XV return to Gainsborough Park for back-to-back home matches against Oxford Harlequins (Saturday, February 12) and Witney (Saturday, February 19). Entrance to The Terraces costs just £5 for adults and the games are currently scheduled to kick off at 2pm. Check the club website for further details sherbornerfc.rfu.club

Picture: GILL CLARK

Fans are urged to support food bank

By Stuart Wickham

Supporters of Sherborne Town are being encouraged to donate food and supplies at the Zebras’ home game against Portishead Town on Saturday, March 12, after striking a partnership with Sherborne Food Bank. Donations will benefit people who are struggling in Sherborne and the surrounding villages. This will be the first time that the club have lent their support to the cause, and commercial manager Sam Bowers explained why the club wanted to be involved: “We are delighted to partner Sherborne Food Bank with this initiative. “We have always been a community club and are lucky to be in a position where we can help others. It’s very tough for a lot of people with rising fuel bills and the cost of food going up steeply. I really hope we get a bumper crowd who are keen to show their support. We are also asking our players and committee members to get involved. Who knows, the match officials might even chip in with some tins. “It’s such an important cause and it would be great to make a real difference.” The club is calling for tinned produce, packets, bottles, jars and cartons. Toiletries, baby essentials, sanitary products and toilet roll would also be welcomed. Antony Edwards, trustee of Sherborne Food Bank, said: “Sam Bowers made contact a few weeks ago with this idea of supporting Sherborne Food Bank at one of their home games of the season, which we were delighted to accept. “We are seeing growing numbers of people wanting help this year and are truly grateful for the football club’s support. I have given Sam a shopping list of the things that we like to have donated to help make up the weekly food parcels for Friday delivery. “Currently we are supporting about 30 homes each week, including single people and couples, and an increasing number of larger families. We are expecting an uptick in demand as the cost of living crisis worsens. “We will be setting up a table and collection baskets near the entrance on March 12 to receive food items from supporters as they arrive. We are grateful for anything that people can spare.” Sherborne Food Bank relies heavily on a volunteer workforce and the generosity of people and businesses. They currently have a team of 45 volunteers working on food collection, food sorting and stacking, parcel packing, deliveries and administration. Find out more about the work they do by visiting sherbornefoodbank.org

58 The West Dorset Magazine, February 11, 2022 Sport Club hit target for £8,000 needed to

By Stuart Wickham

sport@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Beaminster Cricket Club has smashed its ambitious £8,000 funding target to enhance facilities and support the development of the club’s rising academy stars thanks to big hearted supporters, team members and the committee. The club launched the Crowdfunder to plug gaps in funding caused by the coronavirus restrictions which put a stop to the club’s lively programme of events for almost two years. And with match fees covering less than 10% of operating costs, revenue has been severely impacted by the pandemic. With financial security in place, the club is now placing a huge focus on developing young players in its Cricket Academy. To help with this, funds will be spent on improving the training facilities including replacing the artificial wicket. Chairman and youth co-ordinator Ross Baker said: “We ran a lively yearround events programme which was our largest revenue source. This included quiz evenings, cricket activity days, bingo, whist drive, music events, running a barbecue and bar

ON TARGET: Beaminster CC has hit its ambitious £8,000 target to fund its academy system

at the town festivals. Most of these events had to be cancelled for the best part of two years. “Although we were well supported with emergency grant funding to stop us folding during the pandemic, this was not a long-term strategy. This campaign will help us to regroup and rebuild as we emerge from Covid-19.” Around 25 local businesses have backed the campaign, together with Michael Dooley, High Sheriff of Dorset and Advisor to the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Mr Dooley said: “It is a great pleasure to have been asked to support this campaign. From the youngest participants through to the oldest volunteers, sport at grassroots level can and should be part of the solution to bringing Secretary pays tribute to stalwart chairman Ross

While acknowledging Beaminster Cricket Club’s fundraising success as a team effort, club secretary Dr Nick Hollely paid tribute to chairman Ross Baker, who is the driving force behind the club. Nick said: “Ross has worked tirelessly for over a decade to make sure this club still exists – without his sustained efforts the club would have folded years ago. When he stepped down after a six-year stint as captain at the end of the 2021 season, the 1st XI trophy for best bowler was renamed the Ross Baker Bowling Trophy as a show of respect from his teammates, the committee and supporters of the club. Like some of our other trophies, we hope this will last for 50 years or more and cement his efforts as a real club legend alongside other names who have kept this club at the heart of the community for over 165 years.”

develop its academy stars

TEAM EFFORT: Beaminster Cricket Club caters for all ages and abilities and, below, club chairman Ross Baker with some of the Academy's rising stars

communities back together, helping to repair the damage this period has brought to our social fabric. “Investment in grassroots sport is an investment in the future of the whole community. Through their youth development programme, the Beaminster Cricket Academy helps local young people channel their energies and interests and nurtures their ambition and aspirations, offering a starting point in discovering bright new sporting talent. I very much look forward to following the progress of all the young cricketers coming through the Academy for many years to come.” The club has been an important part of the fabric of town life since it was established in 1855 and for the last 40 years, the club play at the Memorial Ground. The club has two senior teams playing competitive cricket and is particularly passionate about the development of local, young players, with three teams competing in the Mid Wessex Leagues at U16, U12 and U10 level. The All Stars and Dynamos Cricket Programme is held on Monday evenings during the season for players aged between five and 10. Ross Baker runs disability cricket sessions in the summer. With a deadline of Wednesday, February 9, the club managed to stay ahead of the run-rate and achieved its £8,000 goal with a couple of overs to spare. Beaminster Cricket Club is for everyone who wants to get involved and current members are aged from four to over 70. n For more information visit beaminstercc.co.uk

Anyone for table tennis? Join the club

Beaminster School Table Tennis Club are searching for new players of all ages and abilities to join their weekly sessions in the lower school gym on Monday evenings at 7.15pm. The venue has six tables hosting matches for players ranging in ability from those in the league to fledgling players. Organiser Jack Barnett said: “We have a range of players from novices to experienced league players, so there will always be somebody to give you a game. Our youngest player is 22 but we are certainly open to younger people getting involved. “Covid has been a disruption over the past couple of years and it has been challenging to keep the momentum going. It’s great that restrictions are now easing, and we are enjoying some very lively, well-attended sessions.” Anyone wishing to join will be more than welcome to attend on the night or to get in touch with Jack at j.barnett.tabletennis@gmai l.com

It’s all cheer and skittles

People wanting a social evening of music, food and skittles while raising money for Frampton play equipment are being invited to the village hall at 5.30pm on Saturday, February 12.