PARLEY 186-9 (6pts) lost to DORCHESTER 187-7 (19pts) by three wickets

JUBILANT Dorchester captain Simon Mitchem was full of praise for his side’s efforts as Dorchester stunned a youthful Parley outfit at the Rec.

In what was a tense finale, Dorchester reached their target of 187 with eight balls to spare and three wickets still in the bank.

Mitchem called for one person to take the game by the scruff of the neck in the build-up to the encounter, but after Parley won the toss and chose to bat first, all of his bowlers chipped in with the ball.

James Dunham (1-29) and George Foot (1-34) snared a wicket apiece, while Mitchem himself (2-38) along with Tom Blair (2-51) and the returning Rob Waite (2-29) all claimed two victims to go with a run-out.

Each of the five-pronged county town attack bowled their full allocation of 10 overs, as they put the squeeze on the visitors, who posted 186-9.

Mitchem said: “From the off we fielded really well and bowled as a unit, even though we dropped a couple of catches that I was not too happy about.”

And in reply, up stepped opener Sean Fitzgerald to record 50 with the bat and put his side in the box seat. Mitchem added 44 in the middle order before he was trapped lbw after taking a blow from a beamer minutes earlier.

Despite losing some late wickets as Parley searched for a dramatic response, it was left to Dunham and Dan Morris to guide Dorchester over the line.

Mitchem added: “It was a really good win and I am really proud of my team. It’s a massive boost to all of us, we have performed well over the last few games and we have been close to getting over the line. This time we have got a very good second win of the season.

“Parley were a very young side but they are still a very good side, they are going to be a very good team in a few years time and it was a very good game of cricket which I thoroughly enjoyed.”

The skipper was also full of praise for Fitzgerald, who he labelled the “evergreen” and who provided that all-important base with his score at the top of the order.

“Sean led from the front with 50,” added Mitchem.

“He batted really well and I am really pleased for him because he is worth his weight in gold at the club with his coaching and in the dressing room as a player.”