MARTINSTOWN 95-2 (19pts) beat BROADSTONE 92 (1pt) by eight wickets

RED-HOT Martinstown crushed Broadstone by eight wickets in a one-sided Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League encounter at Lower Ashton Farm.

Town, leaders after two rounds, followed up skittling Bere Regis for 99 in their opening game with an even more devastating bowling performance.

Following hard work from Martinstown’s groundsmen to get the game on after heavy rain, Jamie Stewart (3-21) bowled Pete Russell (0) with the first ball of the match.

Against the pace of Town’s attack, opener Simon Leadbeater (1) lasted 21 balls until he too was bowled by Stewart.

Broadstone improved with a change of bowling but Fraser Hill (1-41) dismissed Daniel Cook (13).

READ MORE: Martinstown cruise past Bere Regis as season begins

Experienced seamer Dave Trotter (3-26) picked up the key wicket of Charlie Groves, twice dropped during a knock of 36 containing six fours.

Elliott Leadbeater (11) and Joe Manley (6) also perished to the Dorset Over-50s man to leave Broadstone on 84-6.

But worse was to follow as John Stewart, who had bowled five overs for two runs, returned to the attack.

Stewart had Jamie Harlowe (7) caught by Ryan Blair and next ball castled Noah le Boutillier (0).

Whistling in on his hat-trick ball, Stewart bowled a wide but made use of the extra delivery to bowl Louis Dalrymple (0) and claim stunning figures of 3-3 from six overs, with three maidens.

Brother Jamie then removed Ben Manley (10) as Broadstone collapsed to 92 all out.

Town made short work of the chase, reaching their target inside 16 overs despite losing skipper Kershaw (0) to a rash shot off Elliott Leadbeater (1-23).

The attacking ethos of Steve Gerety (48) and Will Maltby (35no) shone as the former struck five boundaries and two sixes, while Maltby chipped in with four fours in an 86-run stand.

Gerety was bowled by le Boutillier (1-9) just shy of victory, but Sean Williams (5no) helped Maltby ease home with an enormous 175 balls remaining.

Speaking to Echosport, Kershaw said: “The first people to thank are the groundstaff. Without them we wouldn’t have had a game.

“We started with the first ball, with Jamie taking out Pete Russell’s off stump and we kept the pressure on.

“Jamie, John and Dave were fantastic. There were wickets all round the board again, it’s not just one bowler.

“As a captain, you can’t ask for more. Everyone hits their areas and it was really good to see.

“John was the stand-out with 3-3 and would’ve had a hat-trick but he bowled a wide, so it’s his own fault!

“There’s still a lot to work on, we dropped a couple of catches and let a few too may runs through the field. If we can eradicate that early season it’s all good for us.”

On Town’s batting, Kershaw added: “I had a shocker myself but when you’re chasing those low totals you’ve still got to remain positive.

“We just play our natural game. Steve was brilliant, he played with real maturity and the same from Will as well.

“They were both scoring at nearly a run a ball. We kept our ethos of playing attacking cricket. It was a shame to drop a point losing two wickets but it is what it is.”

Martinstown Seconds saw their County Division Three clash at Hamworthy Rec cancelled due to wet weather.

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830999

e: neil.walton

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @EchoSportNeil