SKIPPER Andy Hayward hailed as “a truly amazing effort” Ben Bridgen's brilliant display with bat and ball as he snaffled a century and seven wickets for Wimborne & Colehill.
The Minstermen hammered Winton by 143 runs at the Leaze as Bridgen fired 133 from 151 deliveries in a knock that featured a broken bat, 16 fours and a six.
After the hosts had laboured on 37 for two, Bridgen paired up with Francis Kerins (65) and plundered no fewer than 200 runs in a thrilling third-wicket stand which proved pivotal as Wimborne posted 282 for five.
Hayward then handed the ball to his young guns and 16-year-old duo James Williams and Ed Bartlett took the early wickets of Charlie May and John Duke and left the visitors reeling on 29 for two.
Sunny Daini (36) did his best to rebuild the innings but found the irrepressible Bridgen (7-26) too hot to handle and Winton were eventually dismissed for just 139.
It was a fine effort in a testing season for the 2012 Dorset Saturday League champions and cemented their fifth-place finish ahead of next weekend's finale at Weymouth.
On Bridgen's contribution, a delighted Hayward said: “In all my years playing cricket, I have rarely witnessed one player score a century and then take seven wickets. It was a truly amazing effort from the lad.
“We must not forget, though, the influence of Francis Kerins's innings and the impressive start from our two opening bowlers.”
- Ferndown Wayfarers guaranteed second spot in the Dorset Premier Division as a fine all-round display secured a 76-run success over Stalbridge.
Neil Sexton (35) and Dean Elsworthy (77) put on 122 for the opening wicket at Dolman's Farm on an afternoon where Eric Linge's men were dominant throughout.
There was a brief wobble from the home side, but unbeaten pair Matthew Rose (45*) and Jake Brooks (21*) amassed an impressive 68 for the seventh wicket to help post 243 for six.
And the game was soon up as the visitors struggled at the crease as Linge (2-31) stifled the Stalbridge batsmen before Andre (2-21) and Karl Jensen (4-24) hit their stride. The visitors were eventually dismissed for 167 off 38.2 overs.
- Parley captain Roshan Embalagama ensured there would be no let up from the league champions as he struck 114 off just 88 balls to inspire a 212-run crushing of bottom club Dorchester.
The visitors were rocked when the early dismissals of openers Sam Collins and Mark Morley left them on 13 for two, but Tom Jacques (41) steadied the ship alongside Robbie Gunn (24) prior to Embalagama's contribution.
Dorchester's Joe Power (3-82) eventually stopped the Parley skipper, but the damage had already been done before Matt Stickland (31) and Alex Nippard (37*) added more runs and Parley finished on 316 for nine.
The hosts battled at the crease but were soon outclassed as Sam Thomson (4-11) and Dominic Clutterbuck (4-37) starred. Dorchester were skittled for 104 off 30.2 overs, a result which left Parley one victory from a 100 per cent winning record from played games this season.
If Parley beat Stalbridge at Dean Park next week, they would match their own record of 16 wins and two no results set back in 1994.
- Broadstone were shocked by their 18-run defeat against an already-relegated Weymouth side who could only field 10 men at the Delph.
The visitors batted first and got off to a flier when Kieron Womble (41) and Dean Janaway (73) helped put Matt Lawes's team firmly in the driving seat.
Weymouth finished on 279 for eight and although Luke Carter (61) and James Brown (65) carried the fight for Broadstone, the home side never looked like reaching the target.
Christian Metcalfe (17), Simon Mitchell (15) and Greg Parsons (11*) all did their best to rally their troops in the closing stages but couldn't quite muster the runs to prevent a disappointing day at the office.
The result means the chase for third place will go down to the wire after Poole Town posted 115 for four to beat Swanage by six wickets. Ian Booth's men were skittled for 113.
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