SWANAGE 181-9 (7pts) lost to DORCHESTER 182-9 (18) by one wicket

 

A DELIGHTED Simon Mitchem hailed Dorchester’s “fight and desire” as they claimed a thrilling victory at league leaders Swanage.

 

Having been set a total of 182 for victory by the hosts after an impressive bowling display, the county town side got themselves over the line in a finish that went right down to the wire.

 

Final-wicket duo Josh Richardson (16no) and Jack Walklett (4no), were the pair to see the game through for Dorchester with just three balls to spare – the latter following up from the five wickets he took earlier in the day.

 

Club skipper Mitchem told Echosport: “It was a really, really good game of cricket. It was one of those days that made for a cracking finish.

 

“When we were nine down we still needed 18. Jack Walklett and Josh Richardson can both bat but it was very tense, there was a lot of pressure but they did really well to come through in the end.

 

“We showed a lot of character and a lot of depth to get over the line. It was nice to show we do bat all the way down to number 11.

 

“Those are the games in years gone by that our teams would just fold but we have that fight and desire to win these games now.”

 

Earlier in the day, Dorchester performed well with the ball to restrict the Swans to just 181-9 from their 50 overs.

 

Fine knocks from Ben Baczala (64) and Ian Booth (39) looked to have set the hosts up nicely at around the halfway stage of the their innings, but the county town side stuck to the task and got their rewards later in the piece.

 

Walklett’s leg-spin did most of the damage, as he returned 5-35 from his 10 overs in an impressive spell.

 

In reply with the bat, Dorchester lost on-field skipper Dan Belt first ball, but recovered well with runs in the middle order. Steve Clifford impressed with a well-played knock of 70 at number five to push his side towards their target.

 

But Swanage continued to pick up wickets with skipper Ryan Norman (4-31) being highly influential, meaning it came down to the final over.

 

But Richardson, who also had to be taken off from bowling duties earlier in the day due to injury, and Walklett held their nerves to guide Dorchester to their sixth league win of the campaign – blowing the title race wide open in the process.

 

Mitchem added: “After drinks we really turned the screw with the ball, Jack Walklett bowled fantastically well again to take five wickets and that was great to see.

 

“He has been bowling really well and has stepped up his game from last season.

 

“Steve Clifford batted superbly well, he was brilliant and it was just a shame that he couldn’t be there at the end. He played some really good shots and fully deserved his runs.”

 

The win means Dorchester sit third in the pile, 17 points behind Swanage, who saw their lead at the top over Broadstone cut to just three.