MARTINSTOWN 285-5 (20pts) beat SWANAGE 110 (3pts) by 174 runs

MARTINSTOWN put on a fantastic batting performance to claim victory in their opening match of the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier Division.

The home side won the toss and opted to bat first and put on a superb performance to record a score that Swanage could not come close to matching.

Martinstown lost openers Lee House and Shaun Williams fairly early on, with the former going for 12 and the latter for four.

However, the arrival of captain Ed Nichols (138no) proved to be the turning point as the side were able to build.

Sam Kershaw (17) and Fraser Hill (15), in the middle order, allowed the home side to settle and the runs started to pile on with 14-year old Will Maltby notching a composed 29 having come into the side this year.

Tom Pope managed to score 43 not out from 28 balls when he came on and the home side powered through in the last 10 overs as they managed to score 100 runs.

Martinstown were able to take early wickets to thwart Swanage’s hopes of a good start in their reply.

Matt Camp (3-12) was on excellent form as he decimated the Swanage early batting order, while Charlie Durant (3-19) and Sam Kershaw whittled away their latter order.

Steve Kent reached a half-century for the away side but could not bring them close to Martinstown’s total.

Captain Nichols said: “It was a really good start to the season. I am very pleased with everyone. We obviously put a big score on the board, and defended it really well so a perfect way to start the year really.”

Commenting on their batting performance, Nichols said: “It was a tricky start, to be honest.

“Once we settled and there were some partnerships in the middle, I think we did really well in the last 10 overs, 285 is going to be a winning score in most games of cricket.”

When discussing their decision to bat first, Nichols explained: “We knew that it would be hot, we knew if we could wear them out over 50 overs it would be hard to get up and chase it.”

“To get 100 runs in the last 10 overs is not something we have necessarily done as much as we could have done in the past to really cash in at the end.”

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830990

e: aidan.williams

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @EchosportAidan