MARTINSTOWN 186 (18pts) beat SHILLINGSTONE 135 (7pts) by 51 runs

MARTINSTOWN got back to winning ways in the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier Division, having pulled themselves out of a sticky situation at home against Shillingstone.

Ed Nichols’ men were reduced to 85-7 after winning the toss and electing to bat first at Lower Ashton Farm and were staring down the barrel of another defeat.

But the lower order and tail rallied with Ryan Chace scoring a patient 33 from 60 deliveries. Matt Camp was more aggressive totalling 26 off just 21 balls and Phil Turner was left unbeaten on 37, in a knock which included three sixes.

Number 11 Chris Read was the last man to go without scoring to leave Martinstown all out for 186, but the pace bowler was to have his say with the ball following the interval.

He ripped out four of the Shillingstone top six batsmen and recorded figures of 4-33 to help the hosts skittle out their opposition for just 135 off 38.4 overs.

There were also strong bowling performances from Chase (3-31) and Camp (2-33).

“The bowlers really won us the game, which is really nice,” skipper Nichols, who made 28 at the top of the order, told Echosport.

“It’s nice of them to turn up when the batters didn’t fire and turn the game around for us.

“We were 85-7 and you aren’t going to win too many games from that position. But the tail-enders dug in, particularly Ryan (Chase), and the others played their shots with a positive approach.

“It’s a very different feeling at tea than if you were 150-3 and had gone the other way. It creates a completely different dynamic to the game I think.”

He added: “Chris Read got his tail up and he hit the deck quite hard. I think the two wickets he got early were quite important. He then came back in his second spell and bowled with real hostility. He created an atmosphere.

“He is a tall fast nasty and, on his day nobody, wants to face him.

“If he does hit his stride, quite often he will rip through a team and that was the effect he had on Saturday.

“It’s a real morale boost and a team effort to scrap it out and come through.”

The victory gives Nichols’ side 18 league points and their sixth win of the campaign.