BLANDFORD 191-9 (11pts) lost to MARTINSTOWN 192-9 (19pts) by one wicket

BATTER Ed Nichols struck an incredible unbeaten century to guide Martinstown to a tense one-wicket victory at Blandford in Wessex Internet Dorset Premier Two.

Opener Nichols carried his bat with a scintillating 102 from 148 balls, an innings of majestic composure and class when wickets tumbled around him.

Nichols scored more than half of the 192 target to help register Martinstown’s fourth consecutive victory.

Ending May at the top of the table, Town have officially confirmed their best start to a season since 2021 when they crested the summit of the Premier League standings.

READ MORE: Martinstown beat Chalke Valley by six wickets

Blandford won the toss, elected to bat first and made good headway to 51-0 until a Matt Hall (2-30) brace stunted their progress.

Teenage leg-spinner Jadan Gerety (1-25) removed the big-hitting Mike Shepherd (23) before a counter-attacking 38 from 32 balls by Saul Rimmer and 31 from Christian Watts rebuilt the innings.

Back fought Martinstown this time as Rimmer was run out by Finlay Williams (2-37) who along with Fraser Hill (2-61) took wickets yet proved expensive.

Ron Wates also chipped in with a late 24 as Blandford made 191-9 from their 50 overs.

Nichols and Henry Lewis (18) were responsible for a fluid start but when Ed Roffe (1-31) castled the latter, wickets flowed.

In-form Ry Gerety smashed two sixes in his 16 after Sean Williams (8) also fell, and the scalps continued to be claimed around Nichols as Town went from 141-4 to 188-9.

The opener managed to chalk up a stunning century with Town eight down, but the loss of Jadan Gerety (2), bowled by Joe Freak (1-31), gave Blandford 14 balls to seal victory with only three runs to play with.

However, three leg byes off Freak allowed Martinstown to draw level, although last man Jonathan Samways (0) was on strike.

Ed Wates (1-29) was next to bowl but he gifted Town the victory with a wide as the visitors got over the line with nerves frayed.

Speaking to Echosport, Town captain Charlie Durant praised hero Nichols for his match-winning knock.

He said: “Relief is the emotion. We set ourselves into a great position and then myself and a few others did some very stupid things.

“Thankfully, we had Ed to get us over the line. He carried us and he’s been one of the best opening batsmen in Dorset.

“He marshalled the tail so well after I got out, I’m absolutely ecstatic for him.

“He’s been overshadowed by two knocks (Ry Gerety and Lewis) in the last two weeks but he goes about things in the way he does.

“He’s a quality player, everyone knows that. I’m really happy for him.”

Martinstown Seconds lost by four wickets to Colehill in County Division Four.

Main sponsor: The Brewers Arms