Dorchester 110 POOLE TOWN 14-2 – match abandoned due to rain

MARTYN Richards was far from disappointed at seeing Saturday’s clash at Poole Park fall victim to heavy showers.

The Dorset Premier League encounter survived overnight rain but on a “tricky” pitch, Dorchester could only post 110 after losing the all-important toss.

Poole Town’s chase suffered an early wobble when Dan Belt (1-11) and Phil Morley (1-3) claimed a wicket apiece with just 14 runs conceded.

The heavens then opened and brought the fixture to a premature end.

“With the way the game panned out, it wasn’t a bad thing to see it rained off,” said the county town skipper. “We lost the toss and were all out for 110. It was a very difficult pitch to bat on as the ball was doing all sorts, so 110 on that pitch was worth a lot more on any other.

“Dave Maslen (35) and Rob Waite (12) put on 24 for the first wicket and Adam Rendell carried on the good work until he was caught for 17.

“We then discovered that those three made batting look a lot easier than it was on that pitch and we then lost wickets at regular intervals.

“At a time when we looked like upping the run-rate, John Fairless came and took 5-18.

“It was a classic toss game and it would have been interesting to play at least another 20 minutes as Dan Belt and Phil Morley were tremendous with the new ball.

“Phil struck first and then Dan took the key wicket of Martin Miller (1) with a snorter of a delivery.

“The match was abandoned when they were on 14-2. It was probably advantage Poole even though we got off to a good start with the ball.

“Poole Park is not known for its drainage so we were surprised that the pitch was playable to start with. But the forecasters were right in the end and the result is null and void.”

Dorchester will hope for better weather when they play host to Blandford this Saturday.