SWANAGE 246-9 (8pts) lost to MARTINSTOWN 248-6 (19pts) by four wickets

MARTINSTOWN sealed a superb run chase to record their fifth win of the season at lowly Swanage in the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League.

Swanage won the toss and elected to bat first but had a tough start when Mike Wells was bowled by Matt Camp with seven runs on the board.

The effective Camp took the next wicket shortly after with Tom Salmon dismissed to leave Swanage on 13-2.

However, John Lewis and Craig Wells then put on a 131-run partnership to boost Swanage to 144-2 before Lewis was run out.

The runs began to be steadily added on before a late 62-run partnership between Mike Hernandez and Steve Kent boosted them to 246-9 at the end of the 50 overs.

Martinstown began well at the crease and posted 58 runs before George Pope was caught off a Wells ball.

Wells proved useful for Swanage, taking three of Martinstown’s opening four wickets.

The run was dented somewhat when Martinstown captain Ed Nichols was caught by Kent from a Wells’ ball in with just five runs having been added.

Sam Kershaw and Tom Pope put in a good partnership of 45 to help the away side to 147-4 before Kershaw was caught off a Norman delivery.

Pope and Camp were then a fruitful duo at the crease hitting 77 to put the finish line in sight for Martinstown.

Camp was bowled by Ryan Norman but Pope and Fraser Hill then saw out the success.

Martinstown captain Nichols said: “It was a bit of a banana skin fixture, with them putting almost 250 on the board it is always hard to take that down.

“I am pleased with the way we finished off the chase and got it over the line without too many concerns.

“We have not chased much this year so to show that we can chase down those scores is good.

“At the break, we stayed focused and went out and chased it down proactively without taking too many undue risks.

When asked what the mood was like in the team afterwards, Nichols said: “I think everyone was chuffed but we did it in quite a cool way so in the end it was not too nervy.

“People were pleased but we need to be looking to beat top sides and making these games more comfortable.

“We will not get too carried away, it is obviously a relief to get the win but obviously we need to go on a run again like we did at the start of the year.”

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