WIMBORNE & COLEHILL 201-6 (19pts) beat MARTINSTOWN 198-8 (7pts) by four wickets

MARTINSTOWN fell to a third-straight Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League defeat as leaders Wimborne & Colehill triumphed by four wickets at the Leaze.

The visitors won the toss and batted on an inviting batting surface, but were reduced to 0-2 as Ed (2-30) and George Bartlett (3-20) struck early to remove Sean Williams and Monty Payne for ducks.

Captain Ed Nichols (72) and teenager Will Maltby batted superbly to construct a 126-run stand for the third wicket until the former perished to Ed Bartlett when attempting to accelerate the score.

Maltby (59) continued to bat with maturity despite seeing Teddy Andrews (5) fall, before the former was dismissed by Frank Turrell (2-27).

Martinstown were then cut down to 169-7 before a fluent innings from Sam Kershaw (27) helped them reach 198-8 from 50 overs.

In reply, Colin Randall (32) and Harry Bowles (52) started well and took the hosts to 81-0 until the former was ousted by Teddy Andrews (1-23).

Bowles put on 38 with new man Mark House (50) before Chris Read (1-40) pounced, although House remained at the crease to take the Minstermen to 180-3.

Nichols’ men battled hard at the end, Matt Camp (2-52), Charlie Durant (1-37) and Kershaw (1-25) all striking, but Wimborne reached their victory target with 12.4 overs left to retain their place at the league’s summit.

Speaking to Echosport after the game, Nichols was dissatisfied with his bowling attack, which conceded 51 extras.

He said: “It was a lot of extras and a lot of four-balls. They made it hard and we didn’t return the favour – I’ve not seen us bowl like that this year.

“It looked like a track where the outfield was going to be quick and we took the chance to bat first, but 0-2 is not an ideal start. That brings a lag in trying to rebuild.

“I was really pleased with the partnership Will and I put together, but I was frustrated to give it away going over the top.

“We tried to put our foot on the throat and another week we’re looking at 250-plus – it didn’t quite happen. Two hundred was something to bowl at but I think it was under par.”

But Nichols reserved praise for his youngsters, adding: “Will’s was a fantastic knock for a 14-year-old to come in at 0-2, he played well. Charlie got a few cheap overs and he’s improving every week.”

Elsewhere, Martinstown Seconds 214-9 (20pts) beat Weymouth Seconds 157 (8pts) by 57 runs

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830990

e: neil.walton

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @EchoSportNeil