Star Waite shines for Dorchester after Toronto trip

DORCHESTER produced a solid team performance to beat basement boys Ferndown Wayfarers at the Rec, and county town skipper Martyn Richards ‘could not ask for anything more’ from his team.

Richards’ side failed to chase down a target of 105 when the two sides met earlier in the season, but a repeat of such a disappointing batting display was easily averted thanks to impressive innings by Rob Waite (34 not out) and Quenton Miller (38).

Waite had earlier returned miserly figures of 1-6 from seven overs to complete an outstanding all-round performance, but he sets himself high standards and refuses to get carried away with his own success.

Waite said: “I came on to bowl at a good time and took a wicket in my first over.

“After that they seemed content to just see me off, so eventually I suggested to Martyn Richards that he bring Dan Belt back on.

“I have just returned from a holiday in Canada where I was lucky enough to watch a Toronto Blue Jays baseball match. I watched the way their batters dealt with the various curve balls they faced and tried to adapt their technique and use it to my advantage.

“I wanted to bat out our innings, see us home and avoid another batting collapse. Robbie Stammas was swinging the new ball a mile and at times I felt like Roberto Alomar as I swung and missed at another delivery.”

Alomar, a Toronto Blue Jays’ legend, has recently been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, Waite is more interested in the success of his team and not personal accolades.

“I was only interested in making sure I took the shine off the new ball. Quenton was facing some rather indifferent deliveries from the other end and I felt my role was to hold the innings together,” said Waite.

He added: “I am not worried about who gets the runs or who takes the wickets, as long as someone does.”

While Waite’s performance made him a strong contender for man of the match, captain Richards was pleased to get back to winning ways and reflected upon a solid team performance.

Richards said: “I couldn't ask for anything more from the boys, disciplined with the ball and in the field and then Rob Waite display- ing the resilience we've yearned for to carry his bat and see us home.

“We knew that we would have to bowl well to restrict Ferndown to a low total, and then whatever target was set wouldn't be easy to chase down with the likes of Robbie Stammas to face in reply.

“However, we fancied our chances with all the bowling options in the side and Dan Floyd and James Dunham got us off to a great start. Both bowled a great length and got the ball to swing, making scor- ing difficult and taking early wickets.

“Phil Morley looked back to his best and finished with 2-22.

“It was crucial for Rob and Quenton to put a partnership together and that’s exactly what they did, taking us to within touching distance of the required 101 runs.

“It was a huge relief to us all to get over the line, we spoke about enjoying our cricket and that’s exactly what we did.”

The victory turned out to be quite comfortable in the end, but home nerves were jangling when Steve Gerety fell to Neil Sexton in the second over.

This brought Miller to the crease and he immediately set about chasing down Ferndown’s target with two sumptuous boundaries off Sex-ton.

At the other end Waite stood firm under pressure from strike bowler Robbie Stammas and a tricky opening spell was well negotiated by the pair.

Miller was particularly impressive with a range of strokes all around the wicket and Waite’s stubborn resistance proved key.

Miller’s 38 runs came from only 41 balls, but his assault eventually came to an end when he was bowled by Rafferty with the score on 61.

The remaining 40 runs for victory were knocked off in very little time, Waite coming out of his shell and dispatching the off-spin of Sanjay Lankage over the mid-wicket ropes for six. Dan Belt decided to follow suit, Richie Sellers the unfortunate bowler this time, as Dorchester secured maximum points and an eight-wicket victory.