SURPRISE packages Blandford all but turned the Dorset Premier Division title chase into a two-horse race after sending rivals Poole Town crashing to defeat.

Blandford's six-wicket victory at the Recreation Ground saw them keep the heat on leaders Dorchester as the season looks set to reach a gripping climax.

And although defeat may have left third-placed Poole Town with too much ground to make up, they could put the cat back among the pigeons when they host Dorchester in four days.

Wayfarers could also have a big say in the destiny of the championship with Blandford and Dorchester both meeting the Ferndown-based strugglers before the season ends on August 30.

Blandford travel to Dolmans Farm on Saturday before completing their fixtures against in-form Suttoners at Dean Park, while Dorchester entertain Wayfarers on the final day of the season.

Despite losing two of their opening three matches, dark horses Blandford have laid the foundations for an unexpected title assault by winning nine games on the bounce.

Blandford's Chris Baker, who claimed two for 30 in the win against Poole Town, told the Daily Echo: "Essentially, we would do well to win the league and really it's for Dorchester to lose.

"If we can win our last two games and Dorchester slip up somewhere along the line then we've got a chance. We'll just keep playing and keep enjoying ourselves.

"We're delighted to be in with a shout with two games to go. We've got a pretty young team compared to some of the other teams and all the young lads are doing extremely well."

Blandford certainly had their work cut out against Poole Town with Martin Ford and Dave Miller both taking a liking to the hosts' attack as they reached 187 for seven.

Ford (83) and Miller (33) shared in a fourth-wicket partnership of 118 as Poole Town threatened to run up a formidable score at one stage.

However, Aaron Day (3-41), Baker (2-30) and skipper Kev Robbins (2-36) all bowled tidy lines as Blandford restricted their opponents to a more modest total.

And with Alex White (61) and Sunil Sawney (23) ensuring a solid start to the Blandford reply, it was left to Dan Brockway to steer them home with an unbeaten 53.

Baker added: "Poole were rather unfortunate because Martin Ford broke down with an injury. I'm not sure what happened to him but he was struggling and wasn't bowling at full pace. He had to come off after a few overs and that left them a bowler short which made a big difference.

"Alex White has been batting pretty well all season. He's not the most conventional of batsmen but he stayed there and was very patient. Dan Brockway came in at five and it was his first big score of the season. He batted really well."

SUTTONERS SUCCESS

SUTTONERS, Blandford's opponents on the final day of the season, recorded a fifth consecutive victory in a rain-ruined affair against Wayfarers at Dean Park.

Former Bournemouth all-rounder Grant Mather returned impressive figures (4-19) off his economical 10-over spell as Way-farers were shot out for 99 (Dan Joseph 2-14, Paul Barber 2-35).

And set a revised target of 50 due to several interruptions for rain, Suttoners raced home after a human whirlwind had gripped Dean Park.

Darren Cowley blitzed the Wayfarers attack with a succession of lusty blows, his boundary-strewn 42 ensuring Suttoners breezed home off 5.1 overs.

Cowley clubbed two towering sixes over the Winton End and another six fours, his explosive 25-ball knock lighting up an otherwise dull day.

PARLEY LOSE OUT

PARLEY gave fourth-placed Weymouth a brief scare before eventually succumbing to a 14-run defeat at Redlands.

Sam Thomson (36), Raj Naik (28) and Neil Summerson (25) all made starts as Parley went close to chasing down Weymouth's 207 for seven (Thomson 2-20, Naik 2-33).