MARTINSTOWN 248 (8pts) lost to BROADSTONE 252-7 (20pts) by three wickets

MARTINSTOWN slipped to a sixth straight Dorset Premier League loss as Broadstone claimed a three-wicket win at Lower Ashton Farm.

Charlie Durant’s men have sunk towards the relegation fight in recent weeks, although their cause was helped this week as Cattistock & Symene beat bottom side Puddletown by 58 runs.

It means Martinstown remain seventh, 29 points ahead of Puddletown with 60 to play for in the remaining three games. Only the bottom side will be relegated this season.

After winning the toss and electing to bat on a baking hot day, Martinstown saw several batters make good starts.

READ MORE: Martinstown suffer fifth consecutive defeat

Ed Nichols (39), Sean Williams (22) and Will Maltby (51) all looked in good touch and threatened to go on and make big scores.

However, all three failed to truly cash in – Maltby perhaps the stand-out after a blistering 31-ball knock which included just 12 scoring shots.

The Dorset youth star smacked eight fours and three maximums before falling to Abe Churchill (3-50).

Sam Kershaw (29) and Finlay Williams (25) also scored boundary-heavy contributions until Charlie Groves (2-36) dismissed both men.

It was down to Durant (28no) and Nathan McNab (17) to fire eight fours between them, taking the score to what Town felt was merely a par of 248.

In the chase, Broadstone looked like committing the same faults as Martinstown, with Ben Jack (33), Simon Leadbeater (24), Groves (8) and Matty Whittle (22) all falling.

Due to poor availability, Martinstown were forced to open with Maltby (1-69), while usual wicketkeeper Nichols (2-61) also acquitted himself well.

The spin of Durant (1-30) and Kershaw (2-50) helped remove the top order but Broadstone skipper Dan Cook (72) showed his class with seven boundaries and three sixes before Maltby sent him back to the pavilion.

However, with Cook having guided the visitors from 109-4 to 222-6, Phil Jack (55no) did the rest as Martinstown suffered defeat in the 49th over.

Speaking to Echosport, Durant slated his team’s batting.

He said: “All the lads that played I can’t fault their effort. Some people not turning up hasn’t helped.

“On that outfield it was probably a par score and we could’ve got a lot more. On another day we get 300 and they can’t chase 300.”

On the bowling, he added: “The spinners got a little bit of tap but it was ragging square. We bowled well.”

Martinstown Seconds are now 15 points adrift of safety in County Division Three after losing to Poole Town Thirds, coupled with Kingston Lacy's win over Bere Regis Seconds.