Cattistock beaten by in-form Martinstown

CATTISTOCK & Symene lost their first home game of the season against Premier League leaders Martinstown by seven wickets.

Prompted by the possible deterioration of a wet pitch as the game went on, home captain Bradley Damen elected to bat first.

Things got off to a very bad start when Sam Baker (0) was bowled fourth ball of the innings and Ollie Legg (0) run out on the sixth ball. Ben Golledge (0) was bowled in the third over to leave the hosts reeling on 2-3 as Jamie Stewart took 3-21.

Jamie Stewart, left, took 3-21 Picture: ANDREW FRY (Image: ANDY FRY)

Billy Wallbridge joined Liam Toohill at the crease looking to stop the slide.

Both played cautiously on a slow wicket, Toohill taking the opportunity to punish the rare loose ball to get the scoreboard going.

Wallbridge (6) had survived into the 14th over when he feathered an edge through to the keeper from Fraser Hill.

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Steve Tucker strode to the crease, looking to get his trademark big hitting going.

With the score on 47, Toohill fell for 22, playing the ball round the corner to be caught at square leg.

Steve Tucker struck three maximums on his way to the Foxes’ top score of 32 before being dismissed.

Further runs from Damen (8), Brad Mullins (8) and Tom Stewart (4) boosted the home team towards their first batting point, but they fell just short, being dismissed for 96.

The teams turned straight around with 7 overs to be bowled before the tea interval. Martinstown came out of the blocks quickly in pursuit of their small target.

Damen (1-25) was the first to strike, removing his opposite number Sam Kershaw with a slower ball that struck the top of off stump. At the other end, Baker (1-15) removed Steve Gerety, which meant the visitors went to the tea interval at 25-2.

Sam Kershaw, right, fell early in Martinstown's reply Picture: ANDREW FRY

Ollie Legg (1-10) bowled Sean Williams in his first over but this was followed by two chances that failed to go to hand off Damen’s bowling. The game was put beyond the reach of the Foxes by Will Maltby who saw his side home with 30 not out.

Foxes’ skipper Damen said: “It’s been a really frustrating start to the season weather wise, we haven’t had the chance to complete a game yet so wanted to get the game on.

“Those three early wickets took the wind out of our sails and although Liam and Steve batted well to help us recover we weren’t able to post a par score.

“We managed to take a couple early wickets but a flurry of runs took the game away from us.”

Elsewhere, in County Division Five North & West, the Foxes’ third team lost by 136 runs at Puddletown.

Puddle batted first and lost Craig Eastment (0) early to the bowling of Oliver James (3-17). Justin Gurd (1-5) stuck before James claimed another wicket to fight back after the hosts reached 89-1, reducing them to 102-4.

Further wickets were claimed by Damian Barnard (1-23), Jay Collins (1-28), Jack Bartlett (1-45) and Bradley Wilkinson (1-37) as the visitors accumulated four bonus points with Puddletown finishing on 233-8, Jordan King (47) and Michael Crabb (46) the main run scorers.

Nigel Toohill and Gurd opened the innings, looking to lay a foundation for the run chance. Wickets soon began to fall, with only two batsmen in the top eight getting off the mark.

Toohill held firm and continued to pick up runs, he found support in Jack Bartlett who batted with great maturity to defend his wicket and rotate the strike. Toohill’s mammoth two-hour innings finally came to an end when he was given out for 29.

Bartlett was joined at the crease by his father Graham as they readjusted their focus to pick up as many batting points as possible and deny the home team full bowling points.

Jack’s innings lasted 21 overs and he had put on 40 runs in an unbroken stand when the innings closed on 97, a scoreboard error leading them to believe they had picked up a second batting point at 100. The Bartletts finished on 12 not out and 29 not out respectively.

Captain Graham Bartlett said: “For most of this team this is only their second senior game and the opportunity to develop our skills is more important than the overall result.

“Ollie bowled brilliantly with the new ball and everyone worked really hard against a tough batting line-up.

“We probably dropped too many catches that could’ve kept them below 200. With the bat, Nigel showed his experience to bat time and keep out the good balls, Jack did brilliantly batting for over half the innings and denying them full points.”

This Saturday, the first team visit Sherborne (1pm).

Foxes: Damen, Baker, Golledge, Legg, Toohill, L Gurd, Tucker, Bradley, Mullins, E Robertson, Stewart.

And the second team host Bere Regis Seconds in County Division Four (1.30pm).

Foxes II: Good, Lewis, King, Jones, Wyrill, Kingston, Etherington, Boulton, Angel, Hulacki, J Gurd.