POOLE TOWN 153 (18pts) beat Dorchester 138 (10pts) by 15 runs

DORCHESTER’S talented teens went desperately close to pulling off a dramatic victory at Poole Park.

Due to unavailabilities, the visitors included six under-19s in their line-up and they did not disappoint as they took last season’s champions right down to the wire.

The spin of Joe Power (1-28), Sam Goodhew (1-16) and 13-year-old debutant Will Caldwell (3-35) put Poole Town on the back foot for the majority of the first innings, which eventually came to a close on 153 with Pete Moxom returning figures of 4-21.

However, the home bowlers also made the most of the damp conditions and although Marcus Evans (23) and Caldwell (40) did their best to try and see Dorchester home, it was not quite enough as their side fell just 15 runs short.

Dan Belt, deputising as captain in the absence of Martyn Richards, said: “It was a very close game and a great effort from everyone, especially the youngsters.

“The pitch was slow and unpredictable with a bit of bounce, so on winning the toss we stuck them in and the three spinners just squeezed the game.

“Joe, Sam and Will all bowled really well and to get them for 153 was very pleasing indeed.

“Unfortunately though, we got off to a slow start with the bat and at six down we were in a bit of trouble.

“However, Marcus and Will then put on a good partnership to get us back into the game and give us half a chance but we just couldn’t quite finish it off.

“I was happy with how we played and had we had a little more experience in our batting we would have probably got there.”

Belt went on to add: “We are still trying to get a settled side this year but what the unavailabilities have done is given some of the kids a chance and they are stepping up to the challenge.

“We should have a few players back next week and it is going to be a very difficult decision now who to leave out, which is a good problem to have.”

Poole got off to a fine start with the bat with Badrul Alam (20) and Steve Wilson (23) putting on an opening stand of 54.

However, when Moxom trapped Steve Wilson leg before the hosts went on to lose four quick wickets for just 27 runs, leaving them stranded on 81-5.

Skipper Kristian Wilson (20) and Dave Miller (19 not out) then put up some resistance in the lower order but Dorchester continued making breakthroughs with the only blot on their bowling performance being the extras column, which added 32 runs to their opponents’ tally – a factor that became crucial come the end of the game.

Chasing 154 to win, Dorchester felt confident on approaching the crease but not for the first time this season their top order failed to fire.

Ian Sibley (5), Moxom (4), Jon Legg (6) and Belt (17) all fell to a mesmeric spell by Dorset star Mitch Wilson (4-28) and when Goodhew (12) and Ian Legge (6) quickly followed to leave their side on 69-6, it appeared Dorchester were in all sorts of trouble.

However, Caldwell and Evans then came together and put on a seventh-wicket partnership of 46 to give the visitors fresh hope.

Both players batted superbly and at one stage looked set to go all the way until Evans fell to a catch off the bowling of Kristian Wilson (1-31).

That breakthrough proved crucial with James Dunham (2) falling soon after followed by Caldwell, who eventually succumbed to a run out as Poole turned the screw to take the victory by a slender margin.