MARTINSTOWN 154-4 (0pts) lost to DORCHESTER 158-4 (2pts) & MARTINSTOWN 112 (0pts) lost to DORCHESTER 116-0 (2pts) by 10 wickets

DORCHESTER ended their Dorset T20 Cup campaign with two dominant victories over neighbours Martinstown, but missed out on qualification for Finals Day.

Coming into this weekend, both sides needed two wins while hoping with Bere Regis or Swanage completed a double win in the other fixture.

Dorchester upheld their end of the bargain but the best runners-up place fell elsewhere to Poole Town, who with 10 points finished just below Broadstone on net run rate in the South East division.

In the first T20, Dorchester backed themselves to chase Martinstown’s total after winning the toss and inviting their hosts to bat first.

READ MORE: Honours even for Dorchester in Bere Regis double-bill

Town duly made a competitive total of 154-4 from their 20 overs as Sean Williams (53no) registered his first 50 of the season.

He was backed by Steve Gerety, whose 35 runs against his former club came from only 25 deliveries.

Opener Henry Lewis scored 19 and Jack Kane finished unbeaten on 16 as Dorchester’s bowlers worked hard to limit Town, Jack Owens returning 2-30.

In reply, Martinstown had Dorchester in early discomfort at 19-2 as Dave Trotter (1-20) and skipper Charlie Durant (1-41) struck to remove Scott Peach (1) and Jamie Barrett (3) respectively.

That was before a familiar face returned to haunt Martinstown.

Will Maltby, who left Lower Ashton Farm to join Dorchester for 2024, smashed a sublime 70 not out from only 34 balls, including six maximums and four boundaries.

Dorchy captain Gautham Rajendar carved 46 from 20 balls and Harry Jones 28 from 16 as the away side pierced the boundary frequently.

Leg-spinner Jadan Gerety (2-34) removed Rajendar and Jones but it was too little, too late as Dorchester’s big hitting got them home with 30 balls to spare.

For the second T20, Martinstown knew they were out of the running for second spot and decided to mix up their batting order, winning the toss and having first dig.

Dorchester responded by quickly eroding Town’s remodelled top order, Ahsan Iqbal claiming 3-12 including a rare maiden.

Maltby then followed up his blistering 70 by claiming 4-29, while only Finlay Williams with 47 from 34 balls caused Dorchester any problems as Town were dismissed for 112.

Dorchester were in relentless mood and also switched up their batting order to hand time in the middle to Dan Belt and Rob Nobbs, who opened.

And Belt constructed a scorching knock of 85 not out from 44 balls, the former Dorset all-rounder blasting 10 boundaries and five maximums in a wonderful innings.

Nobbs proved a capable ally with a respectable 30 not out from 29 balls, incorporating four boundaries, as Dorchester raced home in 12.1 overs.

Speaking to Echosport, Rajendar considered the double win a good afternoon’s work ahead of the 100-over phase of the season.

He said: “I’m happy with the performances and pleased that nearly everyone had a go with bat and ball.

“Will seems very confident and Dan going big was just what we needed. Harry and myself chipped in, which was good.

“To be honest, we’ve just been looking forward to the longer format and hope Poole at home should be a good game of cricket.”

Durant, meanwhile, echoed Rajendar’s thoughts in eagerly awaiting the return of the longer format and did not place much importance on the T20 results.

He said: “It gave everyone an opportunity to have a game.

“Probably letting Will get four wickets was one of the lowest moments of my career! But, that aside, it was fun and played in good spirits.

“Two clubs who get on well and that showed with the second game, it was almost like a Sunday friendly.”

He added: “I hope that discussions are had over the winter for next season.

“I can’t imagine this happening again, because it’s a waste of the best weather of the year playing this format.

“It’s a shame but it’s a necessary evil this season. If we had to have three Saturdays of the year for the T20s, I’d say do it in the first three weeks.

“Everyone gets bedded in that way and any risk of poor pitches and poor weather are out of the way.”

Elsewhere, Martinstown Seconds lost by six wickets to Hamworthy Rec Seconds in County Division Four.

Dorchester Seconds beat Sherborne Seconds by 132 runs in Division Two, while Dorchester Thirds lost by five wickets to Shroton in Six West. Dorchester Fourths beat Parkey Fourths by 76 runs in Six East.

Martinstown main sponsor: The Brewers Arms.