THE Cerne Valley captain didn't have to think twice before inviting Fovant to bat first on a rapidly drying wicket.

Runs were extremely hard to come by with Andy Mer-cer bowling 12 immaculate overs to finish with 2-20.

He was supported by Simon Corfield, 2-25, Simon O'Dorian, 2-27, and Simon Green, 4-35. Mike Thatcher made 36 and Neal Stevens 23.

Valley were also made to struggle for their runs with debutante James Nuttall making a favourable imp-ression and Dennis Kent, 3-27, and Mark Lole, 2-33, keeping Fovant's hopes alive until the 45th over. Mercer showed monumental patience in scoring 52 to inflict Fovant's second defeat of the season.