Puddletown defeat Wimborne Seconds by seven wickets

PUDDLETOWN raced to an impressive seven-wicket victory at Wimborne Seconds on a memorable day for the Norman family.

Teenage wicketkeeper-batter Regan Norman struck his maiden senior century and shared 190 with father Ryan for the second wicket as they made light work of a tricky target.

The duo also took five catches between them as the Kingfishers registered a second win of the season in style.

Puddletown’s win was made all the more satisfying after a selection crisis ruled out 20 players through unavailability or injury this weekend.

READ MORE: Puddletown lose by three wickets to Chalke Valley

Wimborne won the toss, batted first and were soon 1-2 as Steve Chaldecott (2-44) struck twice to remove openers Adam Child and 15-year-old Fred Boger for ducks, the latter having scored a half-century for Dorset Seconds in midweek.

Adam Weir (3-32) proved his reliable self with the ball, adding another two scalps, but Wimborne hit back through Ben Ratcliffe (63) and Oliver Elliott (52).

Jack Houldsworth also added a brisk 28 as the Minstermen posted 214-8 from 45 overs, James Ayres-Turner taking 1-39 on his first-team debut.

Puddletown’s reply got off to a poor start when Rob Snow (0) was dismissed early on by Ollie Woodruff (1-21).

Thereafter, it was the Norman family’s day.

Skipper Ryan Norman struck his highest Saturday League score since 2015, smacking 14 fours before perishing for 87 to end a phenomenal 190-run stand.

Meanwhile, son Regan, 15, who plays for Dorset at age-group level, had recorded his maiden senior half-century against Hamworthy two weeks ago.

However, he went one better when he struck 15 boundaries to chalk up his first-ever century in men’s cricket.

Although he fell for 108 to Ryan Roberts (1-39), the teenager had done all the heavy lifting and it was left to Weir (4no) to strike the winning runs.

Commenting on a remarkable day for his family, Ryan Norman told Echosport: “Me and Regs put on 190 and that was his first hundred in men’s cricket, so I’m absolutely made up.

“In what was a difficult week with the team and selection, we played really well. Even Charlotte Mandale, our chairman, came and played for us.

“It was a really good performance from everybody, I’m over the moon.”

He added: “For me and Regs to put on that partnership was massive for us. He’s got so much promise.

“As a keeper, there’s no question about it but (the challenge) was always getting runs and to be stepping up this season he’s really taken the bull by the horns and making a big effort for the team.

“On a personal note, I’m over the moon. We ran it around with lots of ones and twos and then when the bad ball came he put it away, he pounced on everything.

“It was a really mature innings for a 15-year-old.”

Puddletown Seconds made it a club double, beating Wareham by 87 runs on a day where a mammoth 705 runs were scored at Puddletown Rec.