MARTINSTOWN 217 (19pts) beat STALBRIDGE 169 (8pts) by 48 runs

MARTINSTOWN produced an excellent all-round display to down Stalbridge by 48 runs at Lower Ashton Farm in their Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League encounter.

The Villagers’ second win from three games was largely built around a superb 112-run fifth-wicket stand between the powerful Teddy Andrews (80) and teenager William Maltby (37) as Martinstown made 217 all out.

Sixteen-year-old spinner Charlie Durant (3-36) and Sam Kershaw (3-44) then carved a hole in the visitors’ initially steady reply to seal a 19-point victory for their side.

Having won the toss and batted, Martinstown lost Sean Williams (2) and skipper Ed Nichols cheaply (3) before a brilliant 37 from Lee House and a useful 23 from Kershaw saw the hosts to 83-4.

Andrews and Maltby then recorded a century partnership but Martinstown were halted by Ollie Legg’s marvellous 5-24 as the away side fought back to limit their victory target to 218.

In defence of their total, Chris Read (1-27) and Matt Camp (2-23) dismissed Stuart Sweatman (0) and Josh York (9) respectively as the score reached 17-2 early on.

James Lewis (29) and George Coleman (59) put on 74 for the third wicket but, when Lewis fell to the economical Sam Hennessey (1-15), wickets tumbled around Coleman.

A late riposte from tailenders Jon Fryer (14no) and Legg (15) saw the visitors claim 39 runs for the final two wickets, but their efforts were in vain as Martinstown closed out the win.

Speaking to Echosport following the triumph, Nichols praised the “destructive” stand between Andrews and Maltby but still saw room for improvement with his side failing to use 51 balls of their innings.

He said: “Teddy batted really well and took the attack to them. He was well supported by Will – that was a destructive partnership. Lee batted really well and looked the best I’ve seen him in years.

“Charlie’s 16 and only just started bowling left-arm spin. I’ve taken a chance and threw him the ball and he was a massive bonus for us.”

He added: “It’s the sort of performance where I know there’s more there. We just need to start scoring 60s, 70s, 80s and probably hundreds.

“There were a lot of four balls which I know those guys don’t bowl, so it’s nice to be able to pick at those small points with a win. We’re really happy with our start.”

* Martinstown Seconds continued with perfect start to the Division Five season with a four-wicket win over Cerne Valley Seconds.

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