BROADSTONE 254-6 (20pts) beat MARTINSTOWN 156 (5pts) by 98 runs

BROADSTONE wrapped up the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League on the final day with a commanding 98-run victory over Martinstown at Delph Woods.

Needing 15 points to be assured of a title triumph, Broadstone overcame Ed Nichols’ men with ease as a disciplined bowling display enabled them to collect the Premier League silverware.

Having won the toss, Nichols elected to put Broadstone in with the pressure of the title race weighing heavy.

That decision looked a good one when in-form Luke Carter (0) was dismissed by Chris Read (3-50) with the first ball of the match.

But Carter’s fellow opener James Park (106no) proved more steadfast and, despite wickets falling around him, compiled a superb century.

When Broadstone stumbled to 80-5, Park was joined by Jonathan Colgate (42) and the duo shared 105 for the sixth wicket, before late hitting from Mike Holm (37no) got the hosts to 254-6 from 50 overs.

Martinstown began slowly and had the added blow of losing a barrage of wickets in the middle order, falling from 31-1 to 44-7 as Colgate (4-20) made significant inroads.

Had it not been for a brilliant unbeaten 74 from Ryan Chase, Martinstown would undoubtedly have suffered a heavier loss. As it was, they lost by 98 runs despite Chase’s best efforts.

Speaking to Echosport after the match, Nichols felt champions Broadstone has “strangled the life” out of his team.

He said: “We won the toss and put them in. With the pressure I thought they might not know how hard to go.

“We had a great start with Luke Carter caught first ball, but their other opening batsmen batted well.

“He put on a partnership for the sixth wicket and the number eight batted really well at the end, there were a couple of big overs.

“After a slow start we lost a flurry of wickets, they strangled the life out of us. Ryan gave us a bit of respectability but it just got away from us with that sixth wicket partnership.”