CHRISTCHURCH 124 (5pts) lost to MARTINSTOWN 436-9 (20pts) by 312 runs

MARTINSTOWN smashed a gigantic 436-9 as they battered Christchurch by 312 runs at Hurn Bridge in their final Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League clash of the season.

Will Maltby celebrated his call-up to the senior Dorset squad with 103 from 62 balls, while Steve Gerety (73), Sean Williams (72) and Jamie Stewart (73) also made blistering knocks.

Martinstown’s total was the highest in the Dorset League this year, beating Wimborne Thirds’ 377-1 against Portland Red Triangle Seconds in County Division Four.

It was also the largest total in the Dorset League since 2019 when Triangle’s first team posted 405-6 against Shillingstone.

However, Martinstown’s feat tops the lot given the innings was played in Dorset’s top tier and came at a staggering 9.69 runs per over.

On a scarcely-believable day, Martinstown won the toss and elected to bat first.

Gerety and captain Sam Kershaw (21) regularly pushed the score along at 10 runs an over, before the latter fell to Henry Hayes (3-84).

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Maltby joined Gerety and the duo continued the assault, Gerety passing 50 and hitting 12 fours until he perished to off-spinner Nick Marsh (2-79).

Maltby was in inspired form though as he carted 15 boundaries and four sixes to record his maiden ton.

He shared 104 for the third wicket with Sean Williams, who himself hit 72 in 51 balls with nine boundaries and two sixes.

Maltby’s mesmeric innings came to an end when he was caught off Tom Randell-Turner, who recorded gruesome figures of 3-75 from just five overs.

His final two overs were butchered for 34 runs as Jamie Stewart blasted two enormous maximums over the indoor cricket school at Hurn Bridge.

Stewart’s knock came off a mere 46 balls with his first seven boundaries all sixes.

As Martinstown stormed past 400, his brother John joined in on the act with a five-ball unbeaten cameo of 17 as the visitors totted up 436-9 from 45 overs.

In reply, a shellshocked Christchurch were met with hostile bowling as only Craig Campbell (32), made a serious contribution.

Extras was the top scorer with 33 as the hosts were rolled out for 124, Kershaw taking 3-25 while Charlie Durant claimed 3-43.

Speaking to Echosport after the mammoth victory, Kershaw said: “We had the freedom to go for it.

“From the start we had runs coming pretty quick and we didn’t take our foot off the gas at all, we kept going.

“We had plenty in the locker and that showed. Will was fantastic again to get his first century and what a way to do it, off 62 balls. His second fifty came off 22 balls.

“Sean was brilliant again and Jamie was just pure carnage. Some of the sixes were ridiculous.

“He cleared the indoor school and some guy got hit. One of them fell down and donked him on the head. It was just carnage.”

Martinstown Seconds beat Sturminster & Hinton by 54 runs in County Division Three to finish seventh in the table.