CRANBORNE crashed to the bottom of the Dorset Longham Garden Machinery Division One standings after scratching their fixture at Dewlish – in favour of attending christening.

Former team-mate Andy Tubbs – brother of Cherries striker Matt – asked Cranborne skipper Dave Coy to become godfather to his child with most of the team invited along to the celebrations.

And the decision to cancel his side’s fixture was a no-brainer for Coy, despite seeing his side deducted 20 league points.

Coy told the Daily Echo: “It was never going to be possible (to play) but we gave Dewlish plenty of notice.

“We’ve got a young team and not all of them drive, so under the circumstances, getting down there with any kind of side was going to prove difficult.

“It wasn’t ideal for ourselves or Dewlish but we took the decision and at least we let them know in good time to make sure teas weren’t bought or anything like that.

“Andy is a top lad and we all wanted to be there. The deduction sends us to the bottom of the table and while I agree that the team that loses out on the fixture should get the full 20 points, it is a big deduction for us and maybe they should take off less because we called it off early.”

Meanwhile, in the remaining three fixtures, Corfe Mullen’s total of 187 for seven was easily trumped by Shil-lingstone who were inspired by Nick Marshall’s 112no.

Corfe captain Peter Hoar had led the way for the visitors with an unbeaten 70 but despite some impressive bowling from Michael Jordan (3-27), the hosts won with more than seven overs to spare.

Ferndown Wayfarers slipped to another defeat as leaders Fovant topped their host’s total of 189 for six while Swanage were all-out for 139 after St Georges had set a target of 205 for eight.

Division Two results: Sherborne 257-6 (17) beat Broadstone 250-5 (11) by seven runs, Iwerne & Fontmell 170 (13) lost to Ferndown Wayfarers II 181 ao (20) by 11 runs, Bere Regis 131 ao (6) lost to Bournemouth 134-6 (20) by four wkts, Old Blandfordians 188-9 (11) lost to Portland RT 190-6 (19) by two runs, Bradford Abbas 284-4 (20) beat Ashmore 234 ao (7) by 50 runs.