Sport

Four-midable! Dorchester keep up

Dorchester Town 4 Koszela (2, 56), Gwengwe (61, 83) Hartley Wintney 2 Cooksley (17’pen, 88) ATT: 416

BY HARRY ADAMS

Dorchester Town followed up the home win against Hartley Wintney with a well-earned point in a trip to Yate Town which ended goalless. Afterwards, Harry Adams, caught up with Magpies’ defender Keith Emmerson, pictured inset, to reflect on the weekend’s action and the challenge of playing two games in the space of three days.

The Magpies maintained their 100% home record this season with victory over Hartley Wintney at The Avenue, with Olaf Koszela and substitute Shaquille Gwengwe each bagging a brace in an entertaining game. In a lively start to proceedings at The Avenue, it took The Magpies just two minutes to take the lead. After Hartley Wintney had a penalty appeal turned at the other end, Koszela broke down the left-hand side, cut inside Hartley’s Tom Leggett before finishing at the second attempt, after his initial shot was blocked. The fast start didn’t stop there, as Exeter City loanee Harry Lee had to be at his acrobatic best to tip over a header from Matthew Drage. Dorchester then countered from the resultant corner, but Alfie Stanley could only flash his effort wide after being played through. The opening ten minutes set the tone for the first half, with the away side seeing more of the ball, with their Bermudan fullback Reese Jones putting numerous crosses in from the right-hand side, only for the Dorchester backline to deal with them relatively comfortably. The visitors’ pressure paid off just before the twentyminute mark. Skipper Harry Cooksley picked up the ball midway inside Dorchester’s half before driving into the box, only to be upended by Matthew Neale. Penalty was the verdict of referee Andrew Hobbs, and Cooksley picked himself up to send Lee the wrong way from the spot to bring The Row level. The visitors stayed in control after the equaliser, passing the ball around nicely in the middle of the park, making life difficult for the hosts and drawing fouls with their quick movement. Despite their possession, the visitors failed to create many clear-cut chances, and it was Dorchester who nearly went back in front with the first real

BACK OF THE NET: Shaquille Gwengwe scores his second and Dorchester's fourth in the win against Hartley Wintney Picture: PHIL STANDFIELD

Keith said: “For me, it has been a stopstart beginning to the season. I missed the first game against North Leigh as well as the away game against Truro, but I’ve been back into the team for the last couple of games. From a team perspective, though, it’s been a very good start. “There’s obviously been numerous changes to the squad and there’s a different set up this season, but the coaching staff have done well in terms of assembling this new squad to challenge in the early part of the season. To be where we currently are and to have the number of points we’ve got is very impressive.” It has been an excellent start for The Magpies, with the team currently occupying fifth place in the Southern

League Premier South. On the game against Hartley Wintney, Keith said: “The win was brilliant, very well deserved. It

Emmerson in with a shout as

home record with impressive win

opportunity since the leveller, with Ollie Balmer seeing his shot well saved by Hartley Wintney’s rookie goalkeeper Killian Barrett, on his first-team debut. Balmer’s strike was the last real piece action of a first half that saw the visitors edge proceedings in terms of possession, whilst the hosts had arguably the more favourable chances in front of goal. Glenn Howes’ half time team talk - and the introduction of Gwengwe clearly worked, as the Magpies began the second half much the better side, and started to stamp their authority on the game. Ten minutes into the second period, the home side got their reward when Balmer beat Barrett to a though-ball, leaving the ‘keeper stranded in the process. The Town striker then fed Koszela, who showed great composure to tuck away his second of the game. Momentum was clearly with the Magpies and, six minutes later, they made it 3-1 with Balmer again the provider. The forward latched onto a loose ball after some sloppy midfield play from The Row and found substitute Gwengwe, who cut inside before finding the far corner with a wonderful finish. The two quickfire goals were no more than Dorchester deserved after a brilliant start to the second half, which saw them outrun and outclass their opponents. The fourth Magpies goal came about in somewhat dramatic fashion with ten minutes to go. After some rare Hartley Wintney pressure saw a fine effort from substitute Anis Nuur strike the inside of the post, Dorchester hit their opponents on the counter. Full-back Harvey-Joe Bertrand broke down the right-hand side and slipped in Gwengwe, who finished coolly past Barrett for his second of the game. The visitors managed to close the gap with two minutes of normal time remaining, with Cooksley finishing well on the edge of the box after beating Town skipper Buckley with some neat footwork. The Magpies almost added some real gloss to the score line in stoppage time, with Barrett denying Koszela what would have been a deserved hat-trick. So, 4-2 it finished after a dominant second-half display saw The Magpies blow The Row away. The home crowd clearly loved what they saw, with tongue-in-cheek chants of “We are going up” emanating from a group behind the goal.

IT’S FOR YOU: Olaf Koszela celebrates his first goal after just two minutes Picture: PHIL STANDFIELD

Magpies continue good start

was almost like a basketball game first half, very end-to-end, but second-half we showed our quality and earned the win. The game on Monday against Yate was very much a game of two halves. It was a very resolute display defensively from our perspective.” The thought of having to play two games in the space of three days would have the likes of Jürgen Klopp apoplectic with rage. However, for a non-league footballer, it is nothing out of the ordinary, and there are often additional challenges. Keith said: “It does take its toll. Obviously, some of the lads have jobs in between playing, which makes it very tough for them, and, with us all not living in the same area, you have to factor travel into that as well. Not many teams at this level have the squad depth to be able to regularly rotate either. On a personal level, I think I’ve added some experience to the squad. “I’m very vocal on the pitch, so if I can help the younger players in any way, then that’s a positive. “I knew a few of the lads before I signed in the summer which was great, and I’ve worked with the gaffer before at Poole, so I already had a good relationship with him. Shaq (Shaquille Gwengwe) came in as a bit of an unknown entity from Totton, but he’s shown his quality this season.”

Sport Dorchester miss out on fourth title

By Stuart Wickham

stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk

Premier Division Dorchester CC 1st XI 202 All Out (45.2 Overs) Bere Regis CC 1st XI 203/5 (43.3 Overs) Bere Regis CC 1st XI won by 5 wickets – Bere Regis CC 1st XI 20 points; Dorchester CC 1st XI 6 points

Dorchester Firsts missed out on a fourth consecutive title as Bere Regis produced a strong all-round performance to register a comfortable win, although Poole’s victory maximum points haul against Sherborne meant that even a victory for the visitors would not have been enough. Dorchester had been the beneficiaries of Bere Regis’ final day exploits in 2021, but found themselves on the receiving end of a team intent on ending their own season on a high. The game was shaped by brilliant opening spells by Bere Regis’ front-line bowlers, Richard Payne and Robert Murphy, with Dorchester reeling at 2-3 by the end of the sixth over. Payne dismissed Jim Ryall and Jamie Barrett for ducks in consecutive balls at the start of his second over, and although Simon Mitchem survived the hattrick ball, he too was quickly on his way, with Murphy having him caught at slip without scoring. Eral Anderson offered some stoic resistance, scoring a measured 52 before being run out to leave the visitors teetering at 94-5. Gautham Rajendar and skipper Dan Belt gave the innings some impetus, putting on 71 for the sixth wicket, before Belt became the first of Matt King’s three victims, having scored a breezy 48 off just 42 balls. Brandon King and James Dunham fell cheaply, and with the tail exposed, Rajendar fell for an excellent 58 when looking to add some quick runs, and Murphy returned to take the final Dorchester wicket as they were bowled out in the 46th over. King finished with 3 for 29, with two wickets apiece for Murphy, Payne and Pete Russell. In reply, opener Russell helped to build a solid platform for Bere Regis, scoring 35, although two James Dunham wickets in the kept the hosts in check at 37-2. Russell and Murphy then fell in quick succession to leave the contest evenly poised with the score at 864, before Sam and Tim Goodhew produced crucial contributions to take the game, and any chance of the title, away from the visitiors. Sam Goodhew top-scored with 57 before being bowled by Rajendar with the home side 42 runs short of victory. Tim Goodhew continued to take the attack to the bowlers, hitting three sixes and four fours on his way to an unbeaten 43, while Cameron Robertson’s rapid 25 not out came from just 12 balls and included two maximums. The result sees Dorchester finish in third place behind winners Poole, and Wimborne and Colehill. Bere Regis consolidated their fourth place in the division and again demonstrated their ability to beat anybody on their

OUT OF LUCK: Eral Anderson’s knock of 52 was not enough to save Dorchester

Beaminster clinch promotion and now wait on

County Division II

Shaftesbury CC 1st XI 268/9 (45 Overs) Beaminster CC 1st XI 269/7 (44 Overs) Beaminster CC 1st XI won by 3 wickets – Beaminster CC 1st XI 19 points; Shaftesbury CC 1st XI 8 points Beaminster edged a highscoring encounter to win a share of first place in Division II and cement their promotion to Division I for next season. The win, their 14th of a successful campaign, was another close contest which demonstrated Beaminster’s resolve and strength in depth. Batting first, the hosts amassed an imposing 2689, with a third-wicket stand of 142 between Kevin Monaghan (60) and Lawrence Yeo (89). The Beaminster bowlers struggled to keep the pair quiet on a strip favouring the batsman, but chipped away at Shaftesbury’s middle order to keep the total manageable, when a score of 300 plus had looked possible at one point. Nick Hollely took three wickets, with Oliver Bareham and Paul Edwards bagging two a-piece. Fittingly for such a united group, Beaminster’s reply was a team effort, with all batters reaching double

The West Dorset Magazine, September 9, 2022 67 Sport to Poole as Bere end season on high

day. Both clubs will hope for better things in 2023. Dorchester chairman Mark Derrien said: “Naturally we are disappointed not to retain our Premier league title but Poole have been the most gracious and worthy opponents I’ve seen in the past four seasons and thoroughly deserve the title. Dorchester and Poole have been the top two teams for a while, and Dave Miller deserves to lift the trophy. We have nothing but respect for them. “Next season we will try our hardest to win it it back. Dorchester are digging up the square at the Rec next week and spending £7,000 levelling the wicket. We have been successful in obtaining a £21,000 grant to get solar energy to complement our ground-source heating so we are virtually carbon neutral. While short-term we are disappointed not to retain the title, long-term we are well-placed to compete for many years to come. “Congratulations, Poole. We look forward to trying to win the title back next year.”

Sherborne CC 1st XI 166/6 (50 Overs) Poole Town CC 1st XI 170/6 (29.2 Overs) Poole Town CC 1st won by 4 wickets – Poole Town CC 1st XI 18 points; Sherborne CC 1st XI 6 points Poole Town Firsts eased to victory at the Terraces to wrestle the Premier Division title from threetime winners, Dorchester. Sherborne elected to bat first and came up against a mean Poole attack determined to give nothing away. Tim Durston’s fine 63 not out was the standout innings for the hosts, who found it hard to build momentum in the face of such tight bowling. Although batting through the 50 overs, Sherborne looked short of a challenging total. Two early Ni Denham wickets in Poole’s reply gave the home side some encouragement, although the Sherborne attack lacked the same control as their opponents and leaked far too many extras, with Denham himself being the main culprit. However Sherborne chipped away at the champions-elect, with Otto Denham taking 3-36, to leave the game in the balance with Poole at 1266. Richard Armstrong’s unbeaten 52 ultimately proved decisive and it was somewhat fitting that Poole captain David Miller, having joined Armstrong at the crease, was on hand to score a four to secure the win, and the title, for the visitors.

Puddletown CC Saturday 1st XI 233 All Out (48.3 Overs) Broadstone CC Saturday 1st XI 201 All Out (34.4 Overs) Puddletown CC Saturday 1st XI won by 32 runs –Puddletown CC Saturday 1st XI 20 points; Broadstone CC Saturday 1st XI 6 points A Puddletown side featuring 15-year-old Evie Snow making her first team debut gave themselves a chance of surviving relegation from the Premier Division with a brilliant win at Broadstone. Batting first, Puddle posted a strong total, largely courtesy of a half century from James Mitchell and a composed 39 from Adam Barrett, but also aided by some ragged bowling from the home side contributing 43 in the extras column. Mitchell’s measured innings of 55 helped the visitors navigate to 162-5, with some useful late order runs giving them a defendable total. In response, Puddletown’s under-strength bowling attacked whittled away at Broadstone’s batting line top and middle order, with captain Ryan Norman’s 453 leading the way, ably supported by Adam Weir’s 3-41. Skipper Ryan Norman gambled on bowling out his front-line bowlers who responded to the challenge by dismissing the home side in the 35th over. The hosts were well ahead of the run rate and Broadstone captain, Dan Cook, who finished unbeaten on a brilliant 79 not out, ran out of partners as nobody was able to provide sustained support.

bonus points verdict

figures. Standout contributions came from Ross Baker with a hardhitting 43 and wicket-keeper Adam Moss, who top-scored with 67. Keeping pace well with the asking rate throughout, Daniel Hillier (36 not out) and Oliver Bareham (10 not out) saw the visitors home with just six balls of the contest remaining. Having finished level on points with Chalke Valley CC, Beaminster must wait to see if they can be separated on bonus points, or will simply share the title. Either way, with two promotion spots up for grabs, they will be playing in Division I next season.

FINAL TABLES

Dorset Cricket League Premier Division Batting Bowling Total P W L Pts Pts Pts Poole 18 16 2 84 82 326 Wimborne 18 15 3 86 76 312 Dorchester 18 15 3 83 73 306 Bere Regis 18 11 7 68 77 255 Sherborne 18 9 9 66 69 225 Broadstone 18 7 11 66 67 203 Martinstown 17 5 12 60 50 160 Cattistock & S 18 3 15 55 65 150 Puddletown 18 5 13 47 52 149 Christchurch 17 3 14 52 54 138

County Division 2 Beaminster 18 14 4 81 83 336 Chalke Valley 18 13 3 78 73 336 Parley 18 12 6 73 82 292

By Stuart Wickham

stuart@westdorsetmag.co.uk Annie Bowden, the President of Bridport and West Dorset Indoor Bowls Club, says that it is vital that their membership is increased to ensure that the club remains viable in the face of unprecedented financial challenges, with rent and utility bills set to increase exponentially. The club, based at St Andrews Trading Estate, will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2023, making it the oldest indoor club in Dorset. Annie feels it’s important that the club survives and thrives, for the benefit of their members. Annie said: “We want our club to keep going and to prosper and it would be nice to get to celebrate the 50th anniversary and many more beyond this. So many of our members are local, older people and they simply can’t drive any distance to other clubs, so it’s really nice for them to have the chance to come and play here at Bridport. They would lose that social interaction if we were ever forced to close.” With the aim of boosting membership numbers, Annie and her committee are encouraging people to give bowls a try across the next two weekends. Guests of any age or ability will have the opportunity to see the facilities, enjoy a friendly game, and chat to current members. New members will benefit from a reduced annual membership fee. The club currently has 120 members, some of whom compete in county teams while others are social players. Annie said: “We cater for everybody, whether they are competitive or just want to have a bit of fun. We would love to boost our ranks of competitive players and are open to seeing potential players who have competed in other sport. We’ve had a lot of ex-golfers and former badminton and hockey players, and they tend to have that competitive spirit.” A welcome also awaits for those who don’t want to play the sport competitively. Annie said: “We have such a broad mix and lots of our members are really happy with the social side of coming to the club. We have our Acorns Group, who can join on concessionary rates for just £20 per year. The Acorns include people who may have mobility issues, perhaps Alzheimer’s and wheelchair users – for many of these members, it’s about playing a couple of ends and then having a nice cup of tea and a chat.” With the club being completely wheelchairfriendly, Annie is hopeful that the open days might appeal to wheelchair users. Annie said: “We have two specially adapted wheelchairs that can be used. We have disabled parking and our building is 100% accessible. We are all on one level and the sides drop down for wheelchairs to access. There’s disabled changing on the ground floor which is great, too. “We have players who have had strokes or suffered serious injuries and it’s a great way of helping them to regain their flexibility, strength and motor skills - and to help keep their minds active as well. We have put fliers in doctor’s surgeries and with physiotherapists, just to let patients know that we’d love to help through bowls if we can.” “We used to have over 240 members and if we got back to somewhere near that number, we’d be fine with costs going up. Unfortunately, with many of our members are older players, we inevitably lose some of them each year. It would be good to see some younger people coming along to our open days.” The rising costs of gas and electricity is a concern for most at the moment, and Annie is braced for the impact on the club’s finances. Annie said: “We are waiting for what the first bills look like, and are certainly prepared for these going up a lot. Of course it’s not like we can just switch off the heating and tell our members to put on an extra cardigan or get them doing star jumps. We have to keep them warm while they’re with us, although I don’t mind it so much as I’m used to working outdoors and it makes the green faster which I like! “I suppose you could look at it as a positive for members really. “Come to the bowls club and you won’t have to heat your own home for a few hours. “We’ll certainly give everybody a warm welcome.” Please refer to the club’s website for details of the open days n bridportindoorbowls.co.uk or call them on 01308 424074.

WARM WELCOME: Bridport Ladies pictured at the indoor club and, inset below, club president Annie Bowden