MARTINSTOWN 188-4 beat FRAMPTON 103-7 by 85 runs

MARTINSTOWN sealed the Doug Read Memorial Cup title for the second time in five completed seasons with a thumping 85-run victory over Frampton at Dorchester Rec.

Coming into the game, Division Two side Frampton had done extremely well to reach the final, beating Division One side St George’s to end their hopes of a third cup win in six campaigns.

Given the weather, a good crowd saw Martinstown, as expected, beat their second-division opponents.

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Frampton won the toss, chose to bowl first and were powerless to prevent Ed Nichols and Henry Lewis (40) from making an excellent and quick start with their opening stand of 75.

Kavindra Dissanayake (1-30) proved expensive from his two overs but did claim the prize wicket of ex-Dorset man Nichols (24).

However, his exit introduced number three Sean Williams for a very rapid 70 from just 34 balls, including three sixes that kept the scoring rate at 10 per over as Martinstown finished with 188-4 from their allotted 18 overs.

In reply, Frampton were never up with the rate in difficult conditions, with Archie Frost’s 54 being the only significant contribution along with Abhishek Anand (14) and Lahiru Ranmal (17).

Once Frost was dismissed by Charlie Durant (2-24), the only doubt was whether the match could be finished.

However, both sides and the umpires braved a rain shower to leave Martinstown clear winners by 85 runs, with Williams nominated as player of the match.

Though, in truth, all players and umpires deserved their medals for managing to complete the game in such damp conditions.

Meanwhile, with rain and England’s Euro 2024 schedule causing the postponement of many games, little has changed in the race for league honours.

Charlton Down still lead the way in Division One from Martinstown, with St George’s, who have several games in hand, able to mount a challenge.

Frampton’s cup exploits have left them with games to catch up on Cerne Valley and Abbotsbury at the top of Division Two, while Dewlish and New Look/ASM seem destined for returns to Division Three, from where Plush and Weymouth are looking good bets to replace them.

Things should become much clearer in the next couple of weeks if the summer allows all to continue playing and enjoying cricket.