Puddletown beat Martinstown by seven wickets

PUDDLETOWN secured back-to-back Dorset Premier League wins for the first time in the club’s history after a resounding seven-wicket success at Martinstown.

Adam Barrett’s men took revenge for a defeat by the same margin on the opening day and also extended to 28 points the gap to bottom side Cattistock & Symene.

Martinstown won the toss and elected to bat, although that decision soon backfired as the hosts were reduced to 39-4 at Lower Ashton Farm.

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Fin Williams (8) hit an early six before James Morris (3-16) bowled him, father Dave following up with the key wicket of Ed Nichols, bowled for a duck.

James Morris had the ball talking and forced Lee House (5) to nick off after castling Sean Williams (11).

Sam Kershaw (23) and Ry Gerety (25) helped Martinstown recover with a 53-run stand until both players fell with the score on 92.

And Puddletown were relentless, taking wickets every time a batter got set as Rob Snow finished with 4-22, sweeping up the innings for 143 all out.

Puddletown had broken the back of their 144 target with just the opening partnership as Snow (22) and Lucas Allen made good progress.

Allen rode his luck at times but the duo nevertheless guided Puddletown to 72-0 before Jenson Stewart (2-26) struck in successive balls to remove Snow and Barrett (0).

Gordon Wint, transferred from Martinstown earlier this season, then made a composed 26 against his former side, supporting Allen to the brink of victory.

Sam Kershaw (1-28) did strike to remove Wint but Puddle needed only 27 more runs at that stage, giving Allen (54no) enough room to complete a half-century that contained nine fours.

James Mitchell (10no), returning from a knee injury, also ended unbeaten as Puddletown calmly chased down their target with ten overs remaining.

Speaking to Echosport, winning captain Barrett said: “We bowled really well and chased it down quite comfortably in the end.

“A really good result and confidence is massive, as you can imagine.

“We knew we’d struggle this year but to win two games in a row against two established Premier League sides is really good, everyone’s delight.

“It’s a bit of a cliché but it was the perfect performance. Dave and James bowled excellently with the new ball, which got us in amongst them.

“We kept taking wickets and Rob came on and took four. We were really happy to bowl them out for 143.

“Then we never felt we weren’t going to get there. Lucas carried his bat – and it was nice for me to contribute with a golden duck!”

Home skipper Charlie Durant said: “I’m pretty gutted. All week I said I was going to bowl and then I’ve rocked up and chose to bat.

“We should’ve bowled. I had that gut feeling. It was straight out and then: “Bye”. It was ragging square.

“There was a bit in it for the seamers as well, we just didn’t apply ourselves with the bat. A lot of people got into double figures and then got themselves out.

“The way the second half went, on another day we genuinely could’ve won. We dropped six or seven catches, I’ve had three close lbws turned out.

“Jacob Coombs has beaten the bat probably ten or 12 times and (Allen) has lived a charmed life.

“You’ve got to have at least two of the three factions of the game on point and other than the bowling we simply weren’t good enough. We were shocking.

“No-one was catching anything and with the bat we let ourselves down again, which is the fixture of our season.”

Puddletown Seconds lost by eight wickets to unbeaten Witchampton Seconds in County Division Five, while Martinstown Seconds lost by 185 runs at Bere Regis Seconds in Division Three.