DORCHESTER 167 (7pts) lost to BLANDFORD 168-9 (18pts) by one wicket

A TRICKY pitch and some wayward bowling saw winless Dorchester suffer a third consecutive defeat.

The reigning Dorset Premier League champions have experienced a harsh start to the new campaign and their bad luck continued with an agonisingly narrow loss at Blandford.

Dan Belt starred for the county town with a tremendous knock of 77 while Phil Morley (3-18) put in a good display with the ball.

But their efforts were not enough to change the fortunes of Martyn Richards’ side, who conceded 42 runs in extras.

The skipper said: “We arrived knowing that the toss would be vital. Blandford won it and elected to bowl on a stodgy wet green wicket full of demons, making it hard for our batsmen to get in and stay in.

“Only Dan Belt really got in and showed his class until he too fell to the pitch. We had been in a position to post an imposing total of 190 but the final four wickets fell for just two runs and with the pitch drying out nicely with the strong winds we knew we would have to bowl well to dismiss Blandford.

“Dan Belt and Phil Morley bowled superbly with the new ball, Morley in particular, while 16-year-old James Dunham bowled with skill and maturity far beyond his years.

“And with Quenton Miller in great form at the other end it looked like we would claim the victory but it wasn’t to be.

“We must look at the shocking number of extras gifted to Blandford in their run chase, but ultimately we were beaten by the conditions in a game hugely influenced by the toss. “There were so many fine individual performances that deserved to claim the first victory of 2009 and I find it galling to have come away from Blandford with just seven points.”

Dorchester lost their opening three batsmen – Lee Haynes, Steve Gerety and Dave Maslen – for 47 runs but the efforts of Belt helped guide the visitors towards a more respectable figure until he was caught for 77.

Richards and Quenton Miller put on a lower-order stand of 41 in quick time but both fell victim to Sunil Sawney.

In the end the final four Dorchester wickets were removed for a mere two runs, boosting the home side’s belief.

Blandford’s reply got off to a less than impressive start and the hosts looked in a perilous position at 59-5.

However, courtesy of some welcome gifts from the Dorchester attack, Blandford crept over the line with one wicket and one over to spare, Richard Thomas scoring the two runs that confirmed victory for the hosts.