DORCHESTER 254-8 (19pts) beat MARTINSTOWN 236-8 (11pts) by 18 runs

DERBY spoils on the opening day of the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League went to Dorchester, as Simon Mitchem’s side overcame Martinstown by 18 runs at the Rec.

The home side took advantage as their neighbours bowled as many as 49 wides throughout the Dorchester innings, meaning their allotted time of three hours to bowl the 50 overs overran.

That meant Martinstown only had 46 overs in which to chase 255 for victory and, despite a valiant effort, just could not get over the line.

Dorchester were put in earlier in the day and an opening stand of 144 from Nick Roe (56) and Dan Belt (82) put them well in the ascendancy.

Despite Ed Nichols’ side tightening things up with the ball in the latter half of the innings, helped by four wickets from Matt Rimmer, the county town club made their way to a well-constructed 254-8 from their 50 overs.

Opening the batting, Nichols helped set the base for the away team with a score of 69 from 100 balls before he was run out.

Fraser Hill came in at four and scored 66 off just 47 deliveries as Martinstown looked to accelerate and pressure the Dorchester attack, but they ran out of hitting power in the latter stages despite Teddy Andrews also scoring 36 in quick time.

Their innings closed on 236-8 and, having, missed out on four of their overs, Martinstown were left to ponder that vast array of extras.

That was not to worry Mitchem’s men however, and the Dorchester skipper was delighted to get their league campaign underway with a win.

“They got a lot closer than I wanted them to really,” said Mitchem.

“We started out with the bat with a really good opening partnership from Nick Roe and Dan Belt, they both batted really well.

“It was a shame one of them didn’t push on and make a ton but it was a great platform to set a good score.

“I was pleased with 254 in the end but, with the start we had, I wanted us to be up around 280 or 290. The added pressure at the end wasn’t but we got over the line.

“I am happy just to get that win on the board, get some momentum, and push on really. We have a lot of depth in batting and bowling and, when everyone is back available we are going to have a very big selection issue.”

Reflecting on the defeat, Martinstown’s Nichols added: “After 25 overs they were 139-0 and I was thinking ‘I could do without cricket!’.

“We got together at drinks and said ‘this isn’t good enough, we have to pull it back’.

“To keep them restricted in their second half shows we have a lot of fight.

“The only thing is the wides count was horrendous. You can’t bowl almost 50 wides in a game and expect to win – that completely cost us the game.

“We get three hours to bowl our 50 overs plus any stoppages. The umpires were really clear and fair and let us know what was going on.

“Because of the wides count we just could not make up the time. We basically sent down an extra six or seven overs in extras. We knew the situation.

“The rate with only 46 overs was quite high but we built a base and had a go at it.

“We can take a bit of a moral victory because I think if we had the 50 overs we would have coasted it.

“We are not going to bowl 50 wides every week, well I hope not, I’ll resign if we do! It’s just basics we have to get right but the underlying talent is there.”

On Martinstown’s innings being reduced, Mitchem added: “It’s a bit of an ugly rule but it is what it is, they bowled an awful lot of wides and we would have been gutted if we had lost the game.”

Dorchester now go into their National Knockout Cup game against Fawley at home tomorrow (12.30pm). Mitchem is unavailable, meaning James Dunham will captain the side.