The Blandford Fly Fails to Bite

Wimborne & Colehill 181 all out beat Blandford 147 all out by 34 runs.

Wimborne & Colehill produced a fighting team performance which confirmed that Premier League cricket would continue to be played at The Leaze next season as they won a closely fought match away at Blandford last Saturday.

With the storms that have hovered over the Dorset region over the past few weeks the toss was always going to be a huge factor on a green damp wicket and a slow outfield. Skipper Colin Randall lost the toss and was asked to bat first. Blandford’s joy at winning the toss was increased further when Randall (0) was given out LBW to Day in only the 5th ball of the innings. When Andy Hayward (12) was yorked by Day (3 for 28) the score was 26 for 2 and the Minstermen were on the ropes. David Guest entered the arena and started to impose himself onto the Blandford attack with his vast array of classical strokes all around the ground. With Graham Cole looking good at the other end the score progressed the 59 prior to Cole (19) dancing down the pitch as if he was dancing in The Rising Sun and completely missing the ball to find himself stumped. Plucky litttle left-hander Rob Hatchard then joined Guest to compile what turned out a match changing partnership as the Minstermen looked at a possible total of over 200. Guest (59) who had the locals running for cover with some of the biggest hits in this part of Dorset since The Beatles reached his half century before he for once failed to clear the ropes and was caught on the boundary for a fine innings off only 75 balls that turned the match in Wimborne’s favour. Anchorman Hatchard looked to push on the score and he was joined at the crease by Justin Perry (5) who unfortunately misjudged the flight of spinner Shepherd (2 for 32) and was bowled to leave the score in the balance at 139 for 5. When Hatchard (33) was cleaned up by Day, the Minstermen were in serious danger of collapsing like they have done in the past as the score slumped from a positive 119 for 3 to 147 for 6. This time however the tail did wag as Bristolian Ben Ratcliffe (18) played positively prior to holing out off only 24 balls. Youngsters Grant Cormack and James Miller (1) ensured the score went over the 175 mark to gain a further bonus point. Cormack (16) made a highly significant contribution with a run a ball innings, however once he was bowled by the impressive House (2 for 33), Nb. Not THE House, the score was 178 for 9 and after a trademark drive from Gary Jones (3*), Jack Worpole (0) was run out to leave the visitors with a competitive 181 all out off 48.5 overs.

The Minstermen were happy with their total at the interval however there was a severe case of ‘what might have been’ mainly due to Guest and Hatchard wonderfully setting up a base that could have seen the visitors breach the 200 mark, however after losing the toss and being 0 for 1 and then slumping to 147 for 6, 181 was seen as a decent total that was certainly capable of defending.

Blandford opening bats Carter (42) and Woodruff (16) really took the wind out of the Wimborne attack’s sails as they put on a 68 run opening partnership that had the visitors worrying about being dragged into next weekends relegation play off. Step forward one of the performers of the season Hatchard, who produced a fabulous piece of bowling that saw him remove the Boycottesque Woodruff caught and bowled and suddenly the clouds lifted from above Minstermen’s heads. Randall called up occasional spinner Hayward and he captured Carter with his first ball after a fine low catch by Hatchard, to leave Blandford at 75 for 2. The score progressed to 95 prior to Guest (1 for 18 off 6 overs) picking up the visitors 3rd wicket as he knocked back Kendrick’s (9) off stump. The dangerous White (15) has often been a thorn in the Minstermen’s side however after misjudging the flight of leg spinner Hayward, Randall clung on at mid-wicket to pick up a vital catch and Wimborne suddenly sensed a glimmer of a victory with Blandford at 118 for 4. Seamer Jones (1 for 33 off 10 overs) returned to the fray after chuntering away at himself whilst fielding down on the boundary after a fruitless opening spell and immediately picked up the 5th wicket after keeper Cole grabbed a great catch behind to leave the hosts still requiring 52 to win with only 5 wicket left. The Minstermen were starting to believe however with the big hitting Brockway (18) at the crease the match was still very much in the balance. With the vocal away following of Pappa Rat Senior & a rather drunken sounding Pasty, the visitors were starting to believe that the match was theirs for the taking and Hayward enticed Brockway down the wicket and Cole smartly stumped to leave Blandford 130 for 6. Broackway’s demise seemed to knock the fight out of Blandford as Hayward (5 for 35 off 10 overs) picked up 2 further wickets after fine catches in the deep by Guest that left Blandford at 144 for 8. Hayward’s final 2 wickets left him celebrating career best figures and his first ever five wicket haul since his garden cricket days. With the bowling trophy at stake Hatchard (3 for 18 off 8 overs) came back to sweep up the tail and take the last 2 wickets, with the last wicket falling after another fine stumping from keeper Cole to leave Blandford 147 all out in 47 overs.

So a fitting final match that has confirmed Wimborne & Colehill’s status in the Dorset Premier League for next season. With Ferndown Wayfarers losing at Stalbridge the win was not as vital as initially believed, however the victory did see The Minstermen leapfrog Weymouth and finish 7th in the table. Guest, Hatchard, Ratcliffe, Cole & Cormack all made vital contributions with the bat, whilst all the bowlers ensured Blandford kept just below the run rate throughout as Hayward and Hatchard picked up the wicket taking plaudits. The fielding once again was top drawer stuff and that is something that has been a consistent positive throughout a generally inconsistent season.

Finally whilst writing the final match report as a tear runs down my cheek, Sue would like to thank you all for reading throughout the season. Keep checking over the next fortnight as there are plans a foot to produce a summary of the season, including an in-depth interview with skipper Colin Randall and team spokesman Gary Jones, which I’m sure will entertain the masses and even may reveal who Sue Ridgepipe really is, and it may not be who you really think!

Sue loves you all. X

Category: 1sts