The weather gods were a little kinder to Poole's first team this week and despite the cold and strong wind the boys were looking forward to playing Dorchester for the second time in a couple of weeks. Poole batted first in bowler friendly conditions but only had themselves to blame for losing a wicket in the first over with Aryan Mehta run out for 1 after a mix up with Jay Van Wyk. Poole were soon in even deeper trouble with Van Wyk falling for 6 after chipping one back to the bowler. Quinn joined Alam in a partnership that just had to put some runs on the scoreboard! Thankfully these two talented batsman knew what was required of them and for the next 15 overs they dug in and fought hard to ensure that no further wickets fell during this crucial period of the game. Slowly but surely the runs started to flow. Their partnership passed 50 and hopes were high of a more than decent score being posted. However Dorchester's Richardson bowled Alam (43) with a beauty and the partnership was brought to an end after 74 precious runs. The score was on 89 when Poole lost this third wicket and it was during the next 10 overs that Poole began to lose their way. Armstrong (0) didnt last long and his fall was quickly followed by the key wicket of Quin (for an excellent 51) and Kear (1). Poole were now back in trouble at 113-6. Instead of being able to push on for the last 10 over Poole limped along and the wickets of Jackson (9), Wormington (0) and Kirk (1) fell in quick succession. Miller (22) was out with 4 balls remaining and Poole were all out for a slightly below par of 145.
Hopes were high when Poole took the field however, especially with Kirk (1-24) in excellent early season form. "Dunny" soon had his first wicket in the bag and Dorchester were 3-1. The next wicket just wouldn't fall in the next 10 overs as somehow Dorchester edged their way to up to 36. Wilson came onto bowl and immediately hit the right line and length. A fine take by Van Wyk down the legside resulted in an appeal for a catch from the wicket keeper but none from the bowler as it looked like it had brushed the batsman's thigh. However in an admirable show of sportsmanship Dorchester's Peach walked off the pitch admitting that the ball had hit his glove. A more straightforward dismissal then ensued with Wilson bowling Anderson and Dorchester were wobbling at 40-3. Partnerships of 28, 14 and 18 took the score up to 100-6 with Wormington taking the 3 wickets to fall. Wilson (3-22) then came back on to bowl his final over and he manged to lure the dogged McKay (41) into one false shot too many and Poole were in the driving seat with Dorchester on 104-7, still needing 42 to win. Richardson came out to join Legg and decided to attack the bowling. Fortune favours the brave they say and with some lusty blows Dorchester found themselves needing 4 to win off the last over with 3 wickets still in hand. A tense final over bowled by Wormington (3-32) resulted in 3 runs off the first 5 balls. With one to win off the final ball Richardson was able to scramble the winning run to cap a fine all round effort from the Dorchester number 9.
All of Poole's bowlers had performed admirably and Quinn and Alam has shown excellent form with the bat. Hats off to Dorchester but this was a tough loss to take. After two league games Poole need to get their first win on the board and the team will be pulling out all of the stops to do just this at Poole Park this Saturday against Christchurch.
