MARTINSTOWN 99 (1pt) lost to DORCHESTER 103-2 (20pts) by eight wickets

HOSTS Dorchester got their season up and running with an emphatic eight-wicket derby triumph over Martinstown at the Rec.

Having won the toss and elected to bowl first, the county town side, led on the field by Dan Belt, put themselves well in the box seat for victory with a bowling performance that merited favourable conditions with the ball.

Helped by two early run-outs, Dorchester set about their work in ruthless fashion to skittle Martinstown out for just 99 in 31.5 overs, with only 68 of those runs coming from the bat.

Only two of the Villagers’ batsmen reached double figures on the afternoon with visiting skipper Ed Nichols top scoring with 37, before he was dismissed by seamer David Trotter, who picked up 2-30.

Spinner Jack Walklett was the pick of the home attack with 3-24 from 5.5 overs, while there were also wickets for Belt (2-9) and James Dunham (1-29).

“The pitch was quite two-paced, so when we won the toss we put them in and bowled really well. James and David bowled very well and put it in good areas,” Dorchester club captain Simon Mitchem told Echosport.

“We hit the ground running with our fielding, which always helps, we were nice and sharp.

“It was good to restrict them to such a low score. We were right on the mark and didn’t give them any chances, we were nice and tidy, which sets the standard.”

With the bat, the home side reached their target of 100 with relative ease. Will McKay top scored with 41 before he was bowled by Martinstown youngster Nathan McNab (1-22). Belt (27no) and Mitchem (9no) were the unbeaten batsmen.

Mitchem added: “It’s good to get win on the board early doors and, hopefully, it will stand us in good stead.”

Reflecting on the defeat, Martinstown captain Nichols told Echosport: “When I have run out two of the top three, it’s kind of hard to be too critical!

“We knew we were a little bit light on our batting and were missing a couple of important all-rounders, it was kind of a case of the top order needing to come off.

“Losing the wickets in the way we did just set us off on the wrong foot. We had scoring options but, to give wickets away on a pitch where there was always going to be a couple of balls with your name on it, is just a disappointing way to start.”

He added: “The pitch still did plenty when we bowled.

“To be honest, I was quite happy with the way we bowled. We got plenty out of it but, when you are defending 100, it’s just too much to ask.”