WILTSHIRE UNDER-21s 168-9 lost to DORSET LEOPARDS 200-9 by 32 runs

MARTINSTOWN skipper Ed Nichols lead Dorset Leopards to a 32-run victory over Wiltshire Under-21s at Trowbridge.

Nichols assumed captaincy and wicketkeeping duties for the Dorset development squad, which also included Dorchester captain Simon Mitchem.

And the duo were pleased to play having experienced a lengthy disruption to their Saturday cricket after a spell of poor weather.

Nichols, who opened the batting and hit 11, told Echosport: “We had some good conditions on the day. It was a slow and low surface.

“The bowling performance was good with 11 guys that were hungry and switched on.”

Mitchem said: “I was happy with the way that I bowled and I think it was a good overall performance from the team. Everyone chipped in with the ball, so that was good.

“It’s quite funny really because I don’t open the bowling for Dorchester!”

Nichols won the toss and elected to bat, with the Leopards making 200-9 from their allotted 50 overs.

Poole’s Tom Robinson (58) and Bournemouth’s Simon Woodruff (53) each cracked half-centuries to nudge the visitors up to 200, with Wiltshire skipper Brad Dawson claiming 4-21.

Wiltshire could only manage 168-9 in reply, with Jack Mynott (85) scoring over half the hosts’ runs and only David Cope (25) joining him in passing 20.

The Leopards shared the wickets around as Mitchem, Woodruff (2-27) and George Bartlett (2-23) each took braces, while Ed Bartlett (1-26) and Dominic Clutterbuck (1-28) also picked up scalps.