DORSET LEOPARDS 107-9 lost to MCC XI 117-8 by one run (D/L method)

DORSET Leopards lost a nailbiting encounter with an MCC XI by one run at Dorchester Rec.

Needing three off the final delivery to win, Sherborne School's Harry Fisher (50no) drove a single to mid-on but surprisingly elected not to attempt to return for a run that would have tied the match.

In a rain-affected contest, played out in foggy conditions, Leopards won the toss and bowled first before making quick inroads into the MCC top order.

Ed Bartlett (2-17) excelled in dismissing openers Ed Nichols (1) of Martinstown and James Vitali (7) of Marnhull, while Dorset first-teamer James Hayman removed Imraan Mohammed (1).

Home all-rounder Simon Mitchem (2-9) again proved dangerous with the ball in snaring Andy Thomas (8) and Steve Heywood (2) as the MCC fell to 38-5.

However, important knocks from James Richards (24), Martin Miller (26) and Ryan Franklin (21) helped the invitational XI to 117-8 before rain brought an early tea after 38.4 overs, young Stalbridge spinner Ollie Legg (2-29) impressing during his nine overs.

When play resumed, Leopards were set a target of 109 on the Duckworth-Lewis method, but lost openers George Bartlett (4) and George Wilson (0) to the accurate Heywood (3-24).

At 10-2, Clayesmore’s Ollie Perrin (17) and Fisher led the recovery until Perrin became one of three victims for spinner Ed Lack (3-22).

Lack and fellow spinner Franklin (2-15) continued to slow the run rate on a damp pitch while regularly taking wickets.

Captain Hayman (6) looked in good touch in his alliance with Fisher until holing out to cow corner and the required target eventually eluded the hosts as MCC avenged last year’s six-wicket loss.

MCC

Nichols b E Bartlett          1

Vitali b E Bartlett              7

Mohammed c E Bartlett b Hayman           1

Thomas b Mitchem         8

Richards st Fisher b Legg               24

Heywood b Mitchem      2

Miller st Fisher b Thompson        26

Franklin c Wilson b Legg                 21

Lack not out       8

Freeman not out              1

Extras    18

Total (8 wkts, 38.4 overs)             117

FoW: 1-2, 2-6, 3-18, 4-36, 5-38, 6-67, 7-105, 8-107

Bowling: E Bartlett 6-2-17-2,  Hayman 7-2-19-1, Mitchem 4-1-9-2, Proffitt 4-0-13-0, O Legg 9-2-29-2, Thompson 8-1-24-1, G Bartlett 0.4-0-3-0

DORSET LEOPARDS

G Bartlett c Freeman b Heywood              4

Wilson c Nichols b Heywood       0

Perrin c Thomas b Lack  17

Fisher not out    50

Proffitt c Freeman b Franklin       3

Randell c Crawford b Franklin      3

Mitchem b Lack 9

Thompson b Lack             1

Hayman c Freeman b Heywood 6

E Bartlett run out             1

O Legg not out  1

Extras    12

Total (9 wkts, 34 overs) 107

FoW: 1-4, 2-10, 3-43, 4-54, 5-63, 6-87, 7-89, 8-100, 9-103

Bowling: Vitali 5-2-11-0, Heywood 7-1-24-3, Freeman 3-0-17-0, Lack 7-2-22-3, Franklin 7-0-15-2, Crawford 5-0-17-0