Martinstown beat Sherborne by five wickets

MARTINSTOWN’S new era began with a five-wicket Dorset Premier League win over Sherborne at Lower Ashton Farm.

Playing in the first game since Sam Kershaw stepped down as captain, new co-skippers Charlie Durant and Will Maltby led Town to their second win of the season, ending a run of three defeats.

Martinstown were asked to field after losing the toss and found Sherborne’s star batter Josh Lawrence in fine touch early on.

Dave Trotter (1-47) took the early breakthrough with Mark Roca (9) departing but Lawrence – who missed out on a pro deal with Somerset – and Mark Lock rebuilt.

READ MORE: Will Maltby blasts 178* from 75 balls

The introduction of Jacob Coombs then changed the game as the seamer tied Sherborne in knots at times.

He removed Lock (19) before the left-arm spin of Durant (5-18) claimed two wickets in two balls as Mike Kennedy (11) and Ollie Senneck (0) trudged back to the pavilion.

And Coombs, who caused the normally unflappable Lawrence (45) numerous problems, picked up his scalp thanks to a Steve Gerety catch.

Coombs (3-15) finished off a marvellous ten-over spell by castling Jake Elsworth (1) and Durant claimed another three victims before Kershaw (1-27) ended the innings by having Shane Pulling (29) stumped by Ry Gerety.

Set 138 to win, Martinstown threatened another nightmare with the bat as they tumbled to 11-3, Tim Durston (3-26) claiming a brace and Pulling (1-35) taking the key wicket of Ed Nichols (2).

Ry Gerety (13) then joined Maltby, who was fresh from scoring an unbeaten 178 in 75 balls in midweek.

Gerety was stumped by sharp work from Lock off Andy Nurton (1-25) but Maltby continued to build partnerships with Kershaw (22) and the in-form Ryan Blair (26no).

The partnership with Blair was the match-winner, sharing 65 and allowing Maltby (61no) to reach his half-century dealing almost exclusively in boundaries with 11 fours and a six.

In the end, the duo guided Town home with 20.1 overs remaining to move into seventh.

“It was a dream start,” Durant told Echosport.

“I brought Jacob in, who hasn’t bowled in a few years. He’s bowled the best spell I think I’ve seen bowled by a seamer at Martinstown in a long time.

“He’s beaten the bat a lot and made Josh Lawrence, who’s an unbelievable batter, look a bit in trouble.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better start from everyone. We fielded really well and it was nice to get a few wickets for me, but it really all came from Jacob who got their two best batters out.”

He added: “We got off to a shaky start (batting) but Will’s in great form – that knock in midweek set the tone.

“We had the drama of the captaincy but that knock set a really good feeling with the way we won and the runs he scored.

“Then he’s scored one of the most controlled fifties he’s done in a long time.”

Martinstown Seconds lost at Sherborne Seconds by nine wickets in County Division Three.