Martinstown beat Swanage by three wickets

MARTINSTOWN continued their sensational start to the Wessex Internet Premier Two season with a tenacious three-wicket win over Swanage.

Charlie Durant’s side have now beaten every opponent in the first block of 50-over games, ahead of the scheduled three weeks of T20s.

Town were made to work hard for this win as Swanage put up a spirited recovery from 125-7 having won the toss and chosen to bat first.

An excellent opening spell from the returning Dave Trotter (2-40) helped Martinstown check Swanage early on.

READ MORE: Martinstown beat Blandford by one wicket

The visitors gathered pace to 91-2 before Trotter claimed his second scalp alongside another incisive spell of left-arm spin from Durant, who bagged 4-33.

Staring down the barrel of a low total, Swanage captain Ben Hodder had other ideas as he struck a superb 83 not out, doubling the away team’s score with Steve Ramsay in a magnificent 125-run stand.

Martinstown were in early discomfort at 10-2 but their innings was held together by the irrepressible form of Ed Nichols.

However, he could only watch on as Ramsay (2-36) and Charlie Dyke (2-30) both took quick braces, including the in-form Ry Gerety (29).

Nichols looked well on course for back-to-back centuries until he was run out for a brilliant 80, leaving Town 170-7 and 81 runs short of the winning line.

That was until a star turn from Ryan Blair (54no) who shook off the pressure to notch his maiden first-team half-century, with assistance from Durant (38no), as the duo led their side home with 15 balls to go.

Speaking to Echosport, Durant said: “I’m very happy to be five unbeaten.

“With the bowling, it was great to have Dave back. He’s a very big asset and it made a difference with him opening up.

“Then I thought we bowled pretty well. We didn’t drop any catches this week.

“Their captain and number nine have batted pretty well to get them from 125-7 up to 250.

“Then with the chase, Ed is in some unbelievable form at the moment. The only way he’s ever going to get himself out is if he keeps running himself out.

“He set up the chase beautifully. A few people got starts and couldn’t kick on but full credit to Ryan, he was sensational.

“He was a late addition because we couldn’t field 11 guys, so he jumped up from the twos for the fourth time this season.

“To score his first fifty for the ones in that scenario, I’m unbelievably proud of him. He’s an asset to this club and he’s a great player.

“I’m just really happy to be five in a row and head into the T20s, have a break from league action with five unbeaten, it’s a great feeling.

“It was a very tough game but I’m happy.”

Martinstown Seconds lost by four runs to Swanage Seconds in County Division Four.

Main sponsor: The Brewers Arms, Martinstown.