Doug Read Memorial Twenty20 Match

Dorchester CC 145-7 beat DORCHESTER EVENING LEAGUE XI 70 by 75 runs

DORCHESTER Cricket Club claimed the honours in the annual Doug Read Memorial Match at the Rec.

In doing so, they gained revenge for last year’s defeat at the hands of opponents the Dorchester Evening League representative side.

James Dunham’s three-wicket haul bagged him the man of the match award as his Dorchester team romped to a 75-run victory in the Twenty20 encounter.

After winning the toss and deciding to bat first, Dorchester took full advantage of their ‘five-over power play’ at the beginning of the innings with Steve Gerety (29) and Pete Moxom (26) plundering 54 runs before their partnership was ended when Gerety was caught by Sam Goodhew off Simon Mitchem.

Dave Griffiths removed both Moxom and Paul Tweddle (10) inside one over but that was not before Tweddle delivered an enormous six towards the railway line.

Quenton Miller and Martyn Richards added 31 runs in only four overs to pass the 100 mark.

Miller’s stroke play was sublime as he cut, drove and pulled the ball around all parts of the ground for a quickfire 29 before he became the first of two victims for Dean Rogerson.

It was the spin of Sam Goodhew (2-21) and Rogerson (2-23) that slowed the Dorchester run-rate. However, they still managed to close with an imposing 145-7 from their allotted overs.

The Evening League XI started promisingly with 37 runs coming from their five-over power play, including Ryan Norman hitting three fours and a six.

They were well placed at 54-2 after only eight overs but up stepped Dunham.

The teenager claimed Norman’s scalp for 24, well stumped by Nick Roe, and then removed Mat King and Nick Cheeseman in consecutive overs.

The Evening League were unable to recover and soon found themselves at 60-7 with Dan Belt, Phil Morley, Xenon Ellis and Joe Power all taking wickets.

And when Ed Elliott-Square was run out for a duck, Dorchester had completed the job to claim the trophy for the first time.

Doug’s widow Judith presented the prize to winning captain Richards, as well as handing the man of match award to the influential Dunham.

Gus Diment and John Ricketts umpired the match with Callum Tucker and Rachael Bailey keeping score.