DORCHESTER 250-5 (20pts) beat MARTINSTOWN 136 (4pts) by 114 runs

DORCHESTER stormed to a 114-run victory over rivals Martinstown to end an 11-year wait for the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League title.

Even rain could not prevent James Dunham’s men from taking the league crown, as a heavy downpour curtailed this meeting between the two near neighbours to just 39 overs apiece.

Despite what seemed a belting track, visiting skipper Sam Kershaw aimed to harness the muggy conditions in electing to bowl first, but the hosts quickly established their fearsome batting.

Will Caldwell, fresh from a superb 75 against Shroton, set the tone alongside the ever-attacking Jack Owens and the duo got Dorchester off to a quick start.

When Owens, who scored seven boundaries in his 39 from 34 balls, departed at 64-1, Martinstown had a brief opening as Nick Roe (5) perished to the miserly Ryan Chase (1-11).

But Caldwell’s brother James entered the fray and kicked on after Will made his 50, hitting 43 off 44 balls.

Simon Mitchem cracked 37 from 26 balls, including three huge sixes, after Will Caldwell (91) fell just short of a century, as Dorchester posted an imposing 250-5 from their allocation.

Needing to score in excess of six an over, Martinstown lost Lee House (0) to Dan Belt (3-21) but the Villagers then rebuilt impressively to 88-1 thanks to fine innings from Sean Williams (45) and Tom Pope (50).

After some fluent strokeplay, both men fell to the leg-spin of Jack Walklett (3-27) either side of Chase (0) who became the sole victim of Josh Richardson (1-25).

Wickets began to tumble and the scalp of Will Maltby confirmed Dorchester as league champions, the county town side jubilant in the field, before James Caldwell (2-11) wrapped up the impressive win in front of a crowd well into three figures.

Speaking to Echosport, victorious captain Dunham said: “It’s absolutely amazing, all the boys are ecstatic.

“At times the weather was quite bad and we weren’t sure whether we were going to get on. But to come out and post 250 in only 39 overs is a brilliant effort.

“Will batted superbly and Jack got us off to a good start, which he has done all year. The tempo of the innings was perfect.

“We tried as much as we could to play it as a normal game – we did that very well. Credit to everyone, it’s been brilliant all season.”

Asked if winning the championship had been extra special via beating Martinstown, Dunham said: “Just winning the league is enough.

“Credit to Martinstown, they’ve been brilliant. Tom batted really well and a couple of the youngsters looked good with the bat and ball.”

In contrast, away captain Kershaw felt there had been an air of inevitability about the contest.

“It was always going to be their day, congratulations to Dorchester” he said. “With the ball, it’s probably the worst we’ve fielded all season.

“If there was more in it for us, it might’ve been a bit more of a game.

“Will obviously got 90 at the top, he’s a class batsman and you can’t really do a lot about that. But it’s been a long season and it’s done.”

Following the contest, Dorchester were presented with a cheque for £6,000 made up from donations by local businesses with the aim of replacing the club’s manual scorebox with an electronic one.

It is set to pave the way for county cricket to be held at the ground next season, with at least one limited overs game thought to be a distinct possibility should an agreement be reached.