DORSET DISABILITY CC 154ao lost to SOMERSET 155-2 by eight wickets

DORSET Disability CC lost out to Somerset by eight wickets in their Super9s League away trip at Taunton. The club were keen to impress soon-to-be new main team sponsor The Aurora Group, but they found it tough going against old friends and rivals Somerset.

The weather, not having been kind over the past few days, put the match in jeopardy but with help from the ground staff, the added bonus of covers and a welcome break in the endless rain, the match went ahead.

Watching the match was Richard Hill MBE, Disability Cricket Support Officer from the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Dorset won the toss and chose to put Somerset into the field whilst the outfield was a little more challenging. However, Dorset lost three early wickets and were 10-3 during the sixth over, which included a stunning one-handed catch by R Young.

Then batting stalwarts Stephen Wiltshire (43) and Tom Best (59) steadied the ship putting on an impressive 92-run partnership before wickets started falling again.

Dorset welcomed new player Matthew Dale into the fold, who scored two runs on his debut.

Best eventually ran out of partners and finished with a magnificent half-century, Dorset ending with a score of 154 all out.

Ben Hallows with just over two overs bowled took two wickets for just nine runs and J Tucker (3-29 off five) was the pick of the Somerset bowlers.

In reply, Dorset were struggling with the ball from the outset due the increased crosswind.

Although Sam Marks managed to demolish the stumps to dismiss opener James Mayled for just one run, he was instrumental in throwing in for the run out of J Redwood for four.

Even the return of in-form bowler Jack Pittaway saw him unable to increase his season’s tally.

However, Somerset just proved too strong for Dorset on this occasion, with masterful batting performances by N Dean (45no) and J Milton (48no) meaning that they reached Dorset’s total within 24.5 overs ending on 155-2.

Ian Hollands, Julian Pilditch and youngster Luke Marks also made worthy contributions while fielding for Dorset.

The positive for Dorset was that from a poor start with the bat, Dorset did reach a respectable score.

The club said: “Our thanks as always go to the travelling carers and supporters who without their commitment it would not be possible for many of the team to play.

“Our best wishes go to Chris our scorer, who is recovering from a brief illness. DDCC look forward to having him back with them again soon and finally thank you Mark Pickersgill for stepping in as scorer for this match.”

Dorset travel to face Gloucestershire at Upton St Leonards CC on Sunday, June 30.