MARTINSTOWN 242-6 (19) beat PARLEY 238-8 (11) by 4 runs

A THRILLING contest saw Martinstown’s captain fantastic Ed Nichols make an unbeaten 107 in his team’s four-run victory over Parley at Lower Ashton Farm.

The triumph gives Nichols’ men their third win on the spin in the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier Division and fifth success in 11 completed fixtures.

Having lost the toss and been put in by bottom side Parley, Nichols set to work, anchoring the innings to bat the entire 50 overs – facing 143 deliveries and hitting 13 fours and one six in the process.

He was ably supported by Ben Lawes (46) and fellow opener Ollie Gargrave (24) as the hosts posted 242-6.

Describing his innings, Nichols told Echosport: “It was hard work actually. I thought they (Parley) played really well, they kept it quite tight for most of the day and I had to work pretty hard for it, but it’s always nice to get runs.

“If I remember correctly, I got it (the century) with a six as well which is rarely in style for me!

“It was nice to lead from the front in that way.”

Nichols’ knock moved him past 500 runs for the Premier Division campaign. He also now averages 51.6 on Saturdays this summer.

Content with the Martinstown total, Nichols then set to work in the field as Parley worked hard to chase their victory total.

Visiting skipper Jonathan Rake made a well-constructed 89 before he was run out by Matt Camp. Camp then produced with the ball to also remove Michael Caufield, who had battled to 53 from 60 deliveries.

As the contest went on, all results were still possible but, with Parley needing 12 from the final over, Martinstown held their nerve to get over the line.

Ryan Chase was the pick of the home attack, claiming the wickets of three of the Parley top five to return figures of 3-20 from 10 overs.

Nichols added: “It’s the first time we have re-used a track this year and I felt it didn’t quite have the same pace as it normally has. I thought it was a little bit tougher to score on so I did feel 242 was enough.

“I was quite pleased at half-time to be honest, as it turned out maybe that was a bit misguided.

“I thought that it was a little bit over par but, as it turned out, Parley really made it look manageable.

“At one point they had it down to six runs per over with only being five down, so they were controlling it for a long time.

“They didn’t really hit boundaries – it’s the best a team has run between the wickets against us all season. They were fantastic in the way they went about it.

“Quite frankly, I am quite surprised they haven’t won a game since the first game of the season based on how they played. I thought their captain in particularly batted well for his 89.

“It’s the best game we have had in years.”

He added: “Steve Bishop’s figures (0-29) don’t look fantastic but he bowled the last seven overs from one end.

“When they needed six or six-and-a-half per over, he was the only bowler who gave us that real control in that period.”