WIMBORNE & COLEHILL 168 (7pts) lost to DORCHESTER 169-8 (19pts) by two wickets

SIMON Mitchem outlined the “fight and desire to win games” in the Dorchester squad this term, as they edged past Wimborne & Colehill in a nail-biting encounter, that was full of drama at the Rec.

Having restricted Wimborne, who were joint-top of the division ahead of Saturday’s fixtures, to 168 from 49.3 overs, Dorchester struggled in their reply with the bat early on, falling to 39-4.

But Mitchem, who was the only man to pass 50 in the contest, totalled a neat 69 to help steer his side into the box seat before he eventually fell.

Despite some late nerves and two run outs, George Foot and James Dunham got the home side to their victory target, the latter winning the game by striking a six.

“We showed a lot of guts at the end when things got tight and got over the line, so I am really pleased for the boys.

“We worked hard all week and deserved the win,” Mitchem told Echosport.

“They (Wimborne) are one of the more established sides and have some good players.

“Last year, those types of games were going against us. It shows the improvement and the maturity of our team this year. We have more fight about us.

“We are a really close-knit group and last year we lost quite a few games like that. This year there is that real fight and desire to win games.”

Having won the toss and elected to bowl earlier in the day, Mitchem’s men delivered a good amount of control to put the squeeze on the visiting batsmen.

David Trotter was the pick of the county town attack. Coming on at first change, he started his first spell with three consecutive maidens and, in the end, finished with figures of 3-28 from his 10 overs bowled.

He was backed up by Dunham (2-25), Jack Walklett (2-24) and James Caldwell (2-22).

Wimborne opener Colin Randall made 48 for the hosts from 111 balls with a patient knock at the top of the order.

After the break, the Dorchester top four failed to fire, leaving the hosts in real trouble.

But captain Mitchem, aided with a resilient stand alongside Dan Morris, helped his side respond and get their chase back on track.

That was not the end of the drama however, as after Morris was dismissed, Jack Walklett was run out in painful circumstances.

After turning back to run two, the county town all-rounder pulled up with a hamstring problem.

While he bravely looked to make his ground, the visitors produced some sharp work in the field to end Walklett’s innings.

That was not the end of the spin bowler’s evening however, as, after he was helped off the field, Walklett went to hospital and would endure a lengthy wait to get the injury checked out.

Another bizarre run-out then ensued which led to the demise of Josh Richardson for 16, meaning it was left to Foot and Dunham to hold their nerves and seal the victory.

Asked what he was thinking while looking on during the final run-out, Mitchem replied: “You probably won’t be able to print it! I was starting to not want to watch.”

He added: “It was a bit disappointing not to see it over the line myself but it’s a team game and I’m happy that George and James Dunham contributed at the end.

“Early on we bowled well with the new ball. James bowled well again and swung it around a bit.

“It got a bit tense at the end but George came out and delivered the goods, which was great, I am really pleased.

“I am really happy with the start so far, I was disappointed against Poole but this is a really good way to come out and show what we are made of.”

The victory puts Dorchester second in the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League table, two points behind new leaders Poole.