Sport

By Stuart Wickham

stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

A Great Britain national squad are among the first teams announced to compete in cycling’s Tour of Britain, which comes to West Dorset for the penultimate leg of the competition on Saturday, September 10. The event will also welcome all four of Britain’s male UCI Continental Teams, with Wiv SunGod competing in the national tour for the fifth edition running, while Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling, Saint Piran and Trinity Racing return having all made their race debuts in 2021. The involvement of a Great Britain national team allows future stars to gain invaluable experience in one of the world’s leading races. Among those who have lined up in the race in home colours are 2021 Giro d’Italia champion Tao Geoghegan Hart, 2018 Vuelta a Espana victor Simon Yates and Grand Tour stage winner Hugh Carthy. Prepararations for the Dorset stage are well underway, with the region set to welcome over 100 of the world’s best cyclists for the first stage in the county in the Tour’s 18 year history. The key seventh stage of the prestigious race willl feature a gruelling 180km course across the county, starting in West Bay, before taking in the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site and passing through many West Dorset towns and villages en route to the finishing line in Ferndown. Cycling fans are set to arrive in their droves to enjoy the spectacle and the beautiful Dorset countryside will be showcased to a massive global TV audience with live broadcasts via ITV4 in the UK and to over 170 countries worldwide. Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain race director, said: “We’re delighted to unveil the first teams who will be competing in this year’s Tour of Britain. As we look forward to one of the hardest editions of the modern Tour of Britain to date, we feel proud and honoured that the strength of cycling in Britain means that we can field four home UCI-registered teams in the race. We feel that giving them confirmation of their selection at this point in the season will allow them time to prepare fully for the event and therefore show off their prowess to a worldwide audience. “The eyes of the cycling world will be on Dorset come Saturday, September 10, and I know that both the world-class riders competing and the huge TV audience the Tour of Britain attracts will be blown away by the sheer beauty of the county.”

n We would love to hear from any businesses or families who are planning a cycling-themed event or party to coincide with the Tour. Please get in touch via sport@ westdorsetmag.co.uk

PEDAL POWER: The 2022 Tour promises to be well-supported in West Dorset Pictures: SW PIX First Teams are announced for cycling’s Tour of Britain

Sport Four-midable! Dorchester aim for

By Stuart Wickham

stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

The long-standing chairman of Dorchester Cricket Club has been talking to the West Dorset Magazine about the goal of winning the Dorset Cricket League for a fourth consecutive season and the constant drive for improvement on and off the field.

Mark Derrien, now in his seventh season as chairman, spoke of the players’ desire to ‘win it for Mark’ by claiming the title during new president, Mark Loder’s, tenure. Mark said: “Mark (Loder) is the epitome of our club. “He supports us home and away, every game without fail, and has for as long as any of us can remember. At the start of the year, I might have said that winning the league isn’t vital for us –it’s never easy and there are some very good teams like Poole and Wimborne and Colehill. But having Mark as president has changed our outlook somewhat and we’d really love to win one for him during his two years in the post.” Mark Loder hosted the club’s President’s Day on Saturday, July 2, with Vice Presidents and supporters enjoying a five-wicket win over Bere Regis. His predecessor, Dave Joslin, presided over three consecutive league titles during his time in the post and there is good reason for optimism about this season’s title ambitions, with the first team currently seven points behind Wimborne and Colehill Firsts. Mark said: “Poole could well be the team to beat, although Wimborne have started so well and beat us at their place. It promises to be a close race and Bere Regis aren’t too far away in fourth. It could well go down to the wire this season which is great for the game.” There is more optimism away from the glitz and glamour of the Premier Division. The club’s second XI, led by Rob Joslin, are competing in Division 2, with many players coming through from the Under 15s to regularly feature. This year has seen the launch of a third X1 playing in Division 6 under the leadership of Brandon King, with almost all the players from the club’s youth ranks. Mark said: “We take as much pleasure from what we’re doing in our second and third teams, as we do from the first team’s success. It’s absolutely fantastic to see over 70 young players training each week in our youth teams –from Dynamos and AllStars right up to U15 level – and it’s brilliant that they’re getting an exposure to league cricket. They’re all doing so well. “We had a young lady

TEAM WORK: Dorchester Firsts 2022, and, left, some of the club's girl players who have the chance to progress into the senior teams and, right, chairman Mark Derrien holding the Premier Division trophy with 2021 captain James Dunham

DORCHESTER CRICKET CLUB FACT FILE Founded: 1862 Ground: The Club House,The Recreation Ground, Weymouth Avenue, Dorchester Dorset DT1 2RY. Teams First XI: Dorset Cricket League Premier Division Second XI: Dorset Cricket League Division 2 Third XI: Dorset Cricket League Division 6 Womens First XI, Friendly XI, Colts, U15s, U13s, U10s, U9s, All Stars, Dynamos. CLUB OFFICIALS President: Mark Loder Chairperson/Club Safeguarding Officer: Mark Derrien Junior Chairperson: Simon Joslin Honorary Secretary: Rohan Scott Honorary Treasurer: Gary Greenaway Groundsman: Jim Ryall Club Captain: Dan Belt 2nd Team Captain: Rob Joslin 3rd Team Captain: Brandon King Club Coach / All Stars Lead Activator: Sean Fitzgerald Clubhouse Manager: Tim Hill Social Media Manager: Stuart Voss All Stars Cricket Activators: Rohan Scott and Colin Gifford dorchester.play-cricket.com

The West Dorset Magazine, July 15, 2022 65 Sport league title for new president Mark

GOOD WORK: The club has a thriving youth section with regular progression into the senior teams and, below, action from the recent Dorset CC fixture against Buckinghamshire CC and, right, the opening of the new bar at the Rec. Inset below: Club president Mark Loder Pictures: PHIL STANDFIELD

player, Rose, take a wicket the other week against Bournemouth and that’s a real cause for celebration for us. Girls can compete alongside the men and boys, and it tells us that we’re doing something right that we can help all players to improve and achieve their goals.” Facilities have been vastly improved in recent years, and Mark was pleased to see the club host the Dorset County side’s recent victory against Buckinghamshire, although disappointed to see North Perrott used as a venue for the later rounds of the competition. Mark said: “We want to make our playing surface and facilities so good that it’s impossible for Dorset Cricket to contemplate other options. There are other clubs in Dorset who have excellent tracks who also feel a bit aggrieved that matches go outside of

Dorset, and we hope we can help to make sure all games are played in the county in future. “Minor Counties games at the Rec stopped around 15 years ago. We’ve been at the Rec for 160 years or so, and for 155 of those years, Dorchester Town Council ran it and did a fine job. Unfortunately, towards the end of their stewardship, due to cutbacks in funding, it became no longer suitable to host Minor Counties matches, and these stopped around 15 years ago. Five years ago, we agreed to pay £1 a year to run the facility and have been steadily improving things ever since.” The square is widely acknowledged as the best in Dorset, with much owing to the evergreen, Jim Ryall, the club’s head groundsman, opening batsman and, currently, the leading runscorer in the Premier League. Now in his fifties, Jim has continued to terrorise opposition bowlers and Mark likens him to professional cricketer, Darren Stevens. Mark quipped: “Actually, he’s probably more like Darren Stevens’ dad but he does a terrific job for us on and off the pitch.” Away from the action, Jim has been instrumental in making the square at the Rec the envy of clubs across Dorset. The entire square will be levelled and relaid in September at a cost of £6,000, a move that Mark hopes will secure the lion’s share of future county games. Other recent improvements have included the installation of a licenced bar, introduction of a function room which is available to hire and the advent of a new electronic scoreboard. Further improvements are planned and Mark is grateful to companies and private individuals who lend their financial support. Mark said: “We are indebted to our commercial sponsors and to our 50 or so Vice Presidents. We have some long-standing relationships with businesses who help us with capital expenditure, some of whom have supported us in much leaner times. Our Vice Presidents each pay a financial contribution which helps with running costs and we love seeing them back at the club regularly. ” n To get involved with Dorchester Cricket Club on or off the field, please contact them via dorchester.playcricket.com To contact regarding room hire, please email the club via booktherec@gmail.com

Sport Puddletown edging closer to double

Dorchester and District Evening Cricket League –Round-up By Robin Potter

As our T20 season enters its last month, Puddletown are making a serious bid for a cup and league double. They have already booked their place in the Doug Read cup final by comfortably beating Martinstown. Winning the toss, Puddletown chose to bowl first and it was successful as Martinstown struggled to just 81 all out. Puddletown proceeded to overhaul the target without much alarm, winning by seven wickets with two overs to spare. The other semi-final was a much closer affair. Second division side Cattistock & Symene batted first and Luke King with 56* and wicket-keeper Steven Tucker’s 89* set a challenging target of 170 for Hazelbury Bryan to chase. They lost both openers cheaply and when Paul Needham was run out for 45 (including six sixes) it looked like the shock was on. Hazelbury’s batters kept up with the rate however, and got home with just one ball to spare, to set up Puddletown against Hazelbury Bryan in the final at Dorchester Rec on Friday, July 22. Puddletown seem on course to retain their Division One title with a 100% record so far, though there are still plenty of games to come. Cattistock look favourites to make up for their cup disappointment by clinching promotion from Division Two, while the third division title seems to be between Bere Regis and Frampton, with a crucial game between the clubs to be played at Charlton Down, on Wednesday, July 20. The top individual performance this season has been an astonishing 178 not out by William Maltby for Martinstown, although Steven Tucker has scored more runs overall with 381. Ollie Legg from Hazelbury has most wickets so far with 18, while Cattistock’s Luke Holman has the best individual return with 5 wickets for just 9 runs.

Dorset Cricket League Premier Division Dorchester CC 1st XI 262/7 (50 Overs) Broadstone CC Saturday 1st XI 133 (29.1 Overs) Dorchester CC 1st XI won by 129 runs – Dorchester CC 1st XI 20 points; Broadstone CC Saturday 1st XI 5 points Jon Legg finished with 7-41 as Dorchester Firsts kept up the pressure on the Premier Division leaders, Wimborne & Colehill, with a comfortable win against Broadstone at the Rec. The visitors made a good start in reply to Dorchester’s imposing total, reaching 59 without loss, but Legg

dismissed both openers in quick succession to spark a batting collapse. Batting first, the home side had posted 262-7, with the highlight being a 100-run partnership for the second wicket between Simon Mitchem, who top-scored with 61, and Seb Carty, who made a breezy 52. The Dorchester middle order kept the scoreboard ticking along well, with good BIG HITTER: William Maltby in action contributions from for Martinstown Michael Peak (33) and Legg (36). Fittingly it was Legg who rounded things off inside 30 overs, by having Caleb Rowe caught behind by Jim Ryall. Dorchester remain seven points behind the league leaders with eight games to go. Sherborne CC 1st XI 269 (49.2 Overs) Cattistock & Symene CC 1st XI 171 (37.2 Overs) Sherborne CC 1st XI won by 98 runs – Sherborne CC 1st XI 20 points; Cattistock & Symene CC 1st XI 8 points Half centuries from Mike Kennedy, Tom Harris and Tim Durston, helped Sherborne recover from the 17-2 to post a match-winning total against winless Cattistock & Symene. Kennedy (62) steadied the ship along with wicketkeeper, Marc Lock (37), the pair adding 96 for the third wicket. Harris (63) and Durston (60) added some real momentum to the innings with some sweet striking down the order. For the away team, Joe Etherington finished with an impressive 5-64, with the wicket of Max Corbett giving them full bowling points with four balls of the 50 overs remaining. Cattistock captain, Steven Tucker, did his best to lay the foundations for an unlikely run chase, his attractive innings of 63 coming off 93 balls. Although the visitors kept the run rate within reach, wickets fell regularly and nobody was able to offer Tucker sustained support. Tim Durston was the pick of the Sherborne bowlers with 3-24, with two wickets apiece for Emlyn Kuhn, Ni Denham and Shane Pulling, as the away side slipped to defeat in the 38th over.

Wimborne & Colehill CC 1st XI 220/9 (50 Overs) Bere Regis CC 1st XI 202/9 (50 Overs) Wimborne & Colehill CC 1st XI won by 18 runs –Wimborne & Colehill CC 1st XI 19 points; Bere Regis CC 1st XI 11 points Cameron Robertson’s impressive 77 from just 65 balls gave Bere Regis the chance to spring an upset against table-toppers, Wimborne, but they were unable to close out victory in a tight game at Kings Street. Robertson’s dismissal at 1677 turned the tide in the host’s favour, and final pairing, Brian Keegan (11 not out) and Callum Crompton (19 not out) batted out the 50 overs to secure 11 points, but were unable to overhaul the home side’s total. Earlier Wimborne had amassed a workable total in the face of some disciplined bowling from the Bere Regis attack. Pete Russell, Dean Rogerson and Sam Goodhew each finished with two wickets, with opener Colin Randall top-scoring for the home side with 42. The result keeps Bere Regis in 4th place in the Premier Division on 144 points.

SNAPPY DRESSERS: Members don 60s and 70s fancy dress for their Captain’s Day

Pictures: Jim Greenfield

Club’s Captain’s Day boosts Julia’s House

Bridport Bowling Club enjoyed a successful Captain’s Charity Day, raising a fantastic £440 in support of Julia’s House. Bowlers donned fancy-dress, embracing the theme of the 60s and 70s, and took part in a number of fun challenge using the club’s special activity equipment. The six winners on the day were Mike Craddock, Dave Aylott, Bob Willcox, Jean Seadon, Keith Brooks and Dave Smith.The afternoon’s programme was rounded off with a cream tea, with scones provided by Dawn and Jim Greenfield, and with a special raffle with prizes donated by the club’s members.

Lyme through to Allcock Trophy final

Lyme Bowls Club enjoyed mixed fortunes in the past week, with the highlight reaching the area final of the Tony Allcock Trophy for the second year running, after beating Greenhill convincingly in the semi-final. It was also a good week for Ann Allman, who did well to reach the semi-final of the Dorset Ladies twowood competition, hosted by the club. Ann was also in action, paired with Pam Weech, in the Dorset ladies pairs, with the pair winning through to the semis which will be away to Swanage. Men and ladies teams both enjoyed home success, with the Championship men beating Wimborne 8-2, and the ladies enjoying a much-needed 8-0 win against West Moors. The men in Division 2 of the West Dorset League fared less well against Sherborne, losing 37-63 and picking up just 2 points. Lyme continue to do badly in their friendly matches, going down heavily away to Axminster and winning only one rink from five at home to Teignmouth Den. The men failed to progress in the County Cup, narrowly losing to Blandford by eight shots, which was a creditable result as Lyme were missing several key players.

Results Dorset Men Div 2: Lyme 37; Sherborne 63. P Fortnam, A Hopkins, J Moseley, K Barnes 15-22 S White, B Parsons, R Legg, R Cridge 17-12 J Owen, P Stephens, J Sherring, J Morris 5-29.

Friendlies: Lyme 45; Axminster 101. J Parsons,J Owen, J Morris 6-34 R Hunt, S White, A Nabarro 14-22 J Enticott, B Parsons, A Preece 17-20 K Berry, J Bishop, R Legg 8-25. Lyme 86; Teignmouth Den 104. J Berry, J Parsons, J Moseley, H Dowling 13-19 C Haseman, S White, B Parsons, S Rowe 17-18 K Berry, J Enticott, A Sherring, J Sherring 15-26 P Moseley, P Stephens, M Haseman, C Barber 12-22 A Hopkins, N Stephens, J Moffitt, P Moffitt 29-19.