MARTINSTOWN 195-8 (7pts) lost to POOLE TOWN 196-7 (19pts) by three wickets

MARTINSTOWN skipper Ed Nichols’ summer of steady scoring continued, despite his side falling short at high-flying Poole Town in the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier Division.

The Villagers’ captain and opening batsman, who has been rewarded with a call into the Dorset Leopards set-up this term, top-scored for his side with 48 as the away team won the toss and elected to bat first at Poole Park.

The skipper was aided by other handy totals from George Pope (46), Ben Lawes (38) and Teddy Andrews (25) as Martinstown posted 195-8 from their 50 overs against the title-chasing Dolphins.

The pick of the Poole attack was Joe Wilson, who recorded figures of 2-18 from his 10 overs in an economical performance, which also included four maiden overs.

Wickets were shared around however, as Scott Currie, Jean-Piere Cronje and Joe Wormington all took two wickets apiece for the hosts.

In reply, Poole managed to get home with just six deliveries to spare, but it was not an easy chase for the title hopefuls.

Only three of their batsmen in Tom Robinson (46), David Miller (47no) and Jon Salt (40) reached double figures – the latter pair batting at seven and eight after Martinstown had ripped through the middle order.

A fantastic spell of bowling from all-rounder Lawes saw him pick up 3-16 from his 10 overs, opening paceman Chris Read was also in the wickets with 3-62.

But it was not enough for Nichols’ side as the skipper, who also took three catches with the keeping gloves, was left to succumb to defeat.

Nichols’ knock does however put him back in with a shout of becoming the league’s top run-scorer this term.

He has currently racked up 659 runs in the Saturday league this summer and sits 49 behind the league’s current top scorer, Dorchester’s Dan Belt, who has 708 from 14 innings.

Both batsmen have already surpassed their respective totals in the division last term.