ISLE OF WIGHT 149-5 beat DORSET 128 by 21 runs

THE Dorset Disability squad suffered a close defeat in their season opener against the Isle of Wight in Dorchester.

After winning the toss and electing to field first at the Rec, the visitors started well with the bat and reached 50 after just seven overs.

But Tom Best provided an ideal response when he dismissed one of the Isle of Wight's openers.

Best (3-11) then struck again with two wickets in as many balls to halt the visitors’ progress.

Home captain Rob Franks (0-12) also bowled economically and would have picked up a haul of wickets had things gone his way during his six-over spell.

Young prospect Jack Pittaway was introduced to bowl down the hill and made an immediate impact. He claimed his first ever wicket for Dorset and took 1-21 from three overs.

Steve Wiltshire (1-30) also struck in his fourth over and there were also good performances with the ball from Beth Rowland, Andrew White and Josh Courtney as the Isle of Wight closed on 149-5 from 30 overs.

In reply, Dorset’s innings got off to a poor start when opening batsman Nick Green fell for a fourth-ball duck and number three Wiltshire (5) departed soon after.

Franks then took to the crease and immediately tried to pressure the visitors with some quickfire runs before opener Rowland went for one.

After Jeremy Kitton failed to trouble the scorers, Mark Pickersgill joined Franks and the duo looked to counter.

Pickersgill and Franks managed to put on some important runs before the latter holed out to deep mid on for a 33-ball 47.

Best then came to the crease and was caught behind for 15 as Dorset still needed 43 from the last eight overs.

But, as wickets continued to tumble, the hosts were eventually bowled out for 128, some 21 runs short of their total.

Dorset skipper Franks said: “Congratulations to the Isle of Wight and we would like to wish them luck for the rest of the season.”

Dorset travel to Wales tomorrow to face Glamorgan, bidding for their first win of the season.

Dorset man of the match: Jack Pittaway

Dorset hold disability training sessions at Broadstone Cricket Club (Delph Woods) every Thursday from 5pm to 6pm.