MARTINSTOWN 221-4 (8pts) lost to SHERBORNE 264-6 (17pts) on run-rate

MARTINSTOWN were left wondering what might have been after their hopes of overcoming Sherborne were dashed by the weather at Lower Ashton Farm.

Batting second and chasing 265 for victory, Ed Nichols’ side got through 44.2 of their overs, posting 221-4 before no further play was possible.

The Dorset League use run-rate rather than Duckworth Lewis to calculate rain-affected games and it was worked out that the visitors had sealed victory, despite Martinstown only needing 44 to win from 5.4 overs, with six wickets in hand.

Nichols, who had made 61 at the top of the order and put on an opening stand of 140 with Ben Lawes (82), told Echosport: “It’s just a shame that the weather forecast came when it did.

“We went about chasing in our usual way, trying to keep wickets in hand and not sweating too much about the rate.

“By the time I was out we needed around eight an over but we knew we had guys who could give us impact in the middle.

“When the rain came down we needed around 45 with just short of six overs with wickets in hand.

“We would like to think if we would have finished the game we would have got over the line.”

He added: “The umpires gave it every chance but the rain beat us in the end.

“We will never know, but there we go.

“I’m sad enough that I went back and punched the numbers into Duckworth Lewis and I think we were ahead by a few runs!”

Earlier in the day, Martinstown’s Teddy Andrews picked up 4-37 from seven overs, wiping out four of the Sherborne top six to be the pick of the hosts’ attack.

“Teddy came on and bowled very well, he got some good movement off the seam and bowled a couple of guys with some really good nuts.

“Emlyn Kuhn is having a great season and he bowled him an absolute jaffa.

“He is still quite young but he can make a real impact with bat and ball.”