Match Reports 2019
Dorset vs Gloucestershire at Martinstown Cricket Club, Dorset
On Sunday 19th May Dorset Disability Cricket Club hosted Gloucestershire Javelins Disability Cricket Club in a rain hit match at Martinstown CC. This was our opening match of the ECB Disability Softball Cricket PD/LD County Championships Super 9s League, South West Division.
Dorset Captain Stephen Wiltshire won the toss and elected to bat. Despite losing a couple of early wickets, Dorset steadied themselves led by a Captain’s innings from Stephen who retired after scoring 52, including four 6’s, with gritty side shows from Tom Best (36) Josh Courtenay (12) and Andrew White (11). Due to the rain interruptions the overs were cut to 30 and Dorset ended with 171 – 7. Gloucestershire took up the challenge and won the match in 24 overs scoring 173 – 4 with N Ridley top scoring on 51. The pick of our bowlers was Jack Pittaway taking 3 - 21 off 2.3 overs. There was a great effort by the team when fielding and Dorset had two players making their debut today - Tyrone Whittle, and at just 10 years of age Luke Marks. Both contributed superbly in their first competitive game and will no doubt become real assets to the team.
Our sincere thanks go to all at Martinstown CC for allowing us to use their ground for our home matches, and in particular Jim Godding for sourcing umpires for our games. Our thanks also go to Dorset Vehicle Rentals for their continuing support and the Dorset Cricket Board.
This weekend, some of our team are travelling to Manchester to represent the England players at the annual Cricket Federation for People with Disabilities (cfpd.org.uk) tournament against Wales at Old Trafford.
Dorset Disability CC’s next game is away against Hampshire on Sunday 2nd June at East Tytherley Cricket Club SO51 0LW behind the Star Pub. — with Mark Pickersgill.
Hampshire vs Dorset at East Tytherley Cricket Club, Hampshire
On Sunday 2nd June, Dorset Disability Cricket Club travelled by minibus, again hired from Club supporters Dorset Vehicle Rentals in Bridport, to East Tytherley CC to face Hampshire for their second match of the ECB Disability Softball Cricket PD/LD County Championships Super 9s League, South West Division.
Hampshire won the toss and put Dorset into bat. Dorset lost their first wicket after 5 overs with a superb stumping by Hill. Once again, Captain Stephen Wilshire led by example scoring a magnificent 74 not out, just one short from having to retire in this format. The spectators were kept on their toes dodging the numerous 6’s being hit over the park. Other notable batting contributions came from Tom Best (29) and Andrew White (22) and Julian Pilditch with a magnificent 15 off just 5 balls.
The Hampshire attack stuck to their game though and continued to take wickets. Powell took 3, Hill took a couple after switching from an excellent stint behind the stumps. With Bates & Judson chipping in with a wicket a-piece, Ritchie then got a first wicket for the team dismissing Dorset for 182 after 24.3 overs.
After a bit of rain in the interval, Dorset set about restricting the Hampshire opening pair from scoring runs. After 10 overs the score was 27–4. A superb effort in the field led to 3 run outs, 2 utilising the return of Andrew White behind the stumps and a direct throw at sticks by Sam Marks.
Josh Courtenay took 2 wickets one by Tom Best. Bates (26) and Ritchie (12), stemmed the tide as they put on over 50 together. But when Ritchie finally went, it was left to Bates & Melvin to see the Hampshire home for a final score of 104 for 6 after 30 overs; Dorset therefore winning by some 78 runs.
A great effort by all again today. Match day coach Alan Marks stating “Well played today one and all. If we progress the way we are, we should be able to challenge the better teams more and get some great results against Somerset and Gloucester. Well done Steve, captains’ innings again and getting the fielding right. Keep it up guys!”
Next Dorset travel away again, this time to face Somerset at Taunton Dean Cricket Club , Somerset on 16th June at 1.30pm.
Somerset vs Dorset at Taunton Deane Cricket Club, Somerset
Eager to build upon their win against Hampshire a fortnight ago and keen to impress soon-to-be new main team sponsor The Aurora Group, Dorset Disability CC travelled to their match at Taunton Deane CC to face old friends and rivals Somerset Disability CC on Sunday 16th June in their Super9’s League match. 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.
Joining us to watch the match was Richard Hill MBE, Disability Cricket Support Officer from the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and it was great to catch up with him again.
Dorset won the toss and chose to put Somerset into the field whilst the outfield was a little more challenging. However, Dorset lost 3 early wickets and were 10 – 3 after just 5.2 overs which included a stunning one-handed catch by R Young. Then batting stalwarts Stephen Wiltshire (43) and Tom Best steadied the ship putting on an impressive 92 partnership before the wickets started falling again. Dorset welcomed new player Matthew Dale into the fold who scored 2 runs on his debut. Tom eventually ran out of partners and finished with a magnificent 59 not out; Dorset ending with a score of 154 all out. Ben Hallows with just 2.2 overs bowled took 2 wickets for just 9 runs and J Tucker 29 – 3 off 5 being the pick of the Somerset bowlers.
After a wonderful match tea provided by the Somerset ladies, whilst catching up on the latest score of the India vs Pakistan World Cup Match at Old Trafford it was out into the field again.
In reply, Dorset were struggling with the ball from the outset due the increased crosswind. Although Sam Marks, himself a student at Aurora Boveridge College, managed to demolish the stumps to dismiss opener James Mayled for just 1 run and was instrumental in throwing in for the run out of J Redwood for 4. Even the return of in-form bowler Jack Pittaway who took 3 wickets in his opening match against Gloucestershire could not add to his tally for the season. Despite the determination of Josh Courtenay and Tyrone Whittle chasing the same ball, leaving Josh on his back, Andrew White behind the stumps and Steve Wiltshire injuring his leg in an heroic fielding manoeuvre, 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 whilst fielding for Dorset.
A loss is always hard to take, but you can always find a positive. The positive was that from a poor start with the bat, Dorset did reach a respectable score. Onwards and upwards to the next match where Dorset travel to face Gloucestershire at Upton St Leonards CC on 30th June 2019. Dorset host Somerset in a return match at Martinstown CC on 21st July 2019.
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.
Gloucestershire vs Dorset at Upton St Leonards Cricket Club, Gloucestershire
Dorset Disability beat Gloucestershire Javelins by 5 wickets at Upton St Leonards.
Needing to bounce back from their defeat against Somerset 2 weeks ago, Dorset were led by Tom Best’s 46 no, the second match in a row where he has top scored.
Stephen Wiltshire once again had the benefit of winning an important toss. Not only did fielding seem easier early in the day - though that could have been due to the excellence of Best and Josh Courtenay with the ball, both gaining a 3 wicket-haul - their two losses have come when setting the target.
Dorset were a constant threat with the ball and superb in the field. Matthew Dale, in only his second match for the Club taking 2 superb catches at slip and narrowly missing a third, just getting his fingertips of one hand to the ball, but stopping the pace of it going for 4 runs.
Wicket keeper Andrew White took a wonderful first catch behind the stumps to remove opener James Bermingham for a duck and then followed up by taking the wicket of Andy Nicholls later on as well.
Indeed, there was quiet optimism about the result early on, when Dorset pegged Gloucester back at just 38-4, including dismissing the captain James Elliott for just 15 as from experience over the years, he has led by example and piled on the runs.
On Sunday, Gloucestershire lost wickets steadily and finished on 111-9 off just 22.3 overs.
The Javelins had won two of their first three games - the other rained off.
Disadvantaged by the toss they took the early wicket of No. 2 Sam Collins when the score was just 16. Best came in at 3, and together with opener Sam Marks put on a respectable 41 partnership when Marks was dismissed for 11 by first change bowler Henry Polley.
As Dorset ran hard, and took the singles when they could, Gloucester gradually adjusted to the conditions and their improvement was led by the variations of Andy Nicholls 11-2 off 3 overs.
Dorset reached the total set by Gloucestershire with Wiltshire claiming the victory with a superb 4 ending with 115-5 off just 22.5 overs.
Dorset Match-day Coach Alan Marks: “Today was the best bowling and fielding performance this season. Well played everyone and Tom, the right time to bat long and slow for the win. And Matthew, for the safe hands for 2 catches. There are plenty more names that could be mentioned but there’s no need as you all know how well you played”.
Dorset host Hampshire Disability Cricket on Sunday 7th July 2019 at Martinstown CC starting at 1.30pm.
Dorset Team: Sam Marks, Sam Collins, Tom Best, Stephen Wiltshire, Josh Courtenay, Andrew White, Tyrone Whittle, Jack Watkins, Matthew Dale, Mark Pickersgill, Luke Marks
Dorset vs Hampshire at Martinstown Cricket Club, Dorset
Tom Best once again ensured Dorset Disability Cricket Club kept up their winning ways in the ECB Disability Softball Cricket PD/LD County Championships Super 9s League, South West Division top scoring once again and taking crucial wickets with 2-17 off 7 overs with 1 maiden as Hampshire Disability could not reach the target set by Dorset after the 35 over-a-side match.
Dorset were back at their home ground of Martinstown Cricket Club, after 3 away games. Even with the temperatures soaring, young Hampshire captain M Hill aged just 16, won the toss and opted to put Dorset in to bat and set them a total to chase. Promoted to opener due to the loss of Sam Marks through injury, Ian Hollands together with Sam Collins strode out to the wicket with confidence following the emphatic win against Gloucestershire last weekend.
Cheered on by numerous families, friends and carers, Dorset were also supported by Dorset Cricket Board member Phil Brown, County Welfare Officer who is a regular champion for the disability game.
Despite losing a couple of early wickets, Best (38), Steve Wiltshire (27) Wicket Keeper Andrew White (33) and Josh Courtenay (23) all contributed with 6’s during their stints at the crease. Kamron Flaxman had to retire from bowling after just 3.2 overs having taken his maximum of 3 wickets for just 13 runs taking a superb catch when bowling to Collins, the key wicket of Courtenay and also Julian Pilditch as well further catches to dismiss Best and White. Dorset were all dismissed for 172 after 28.3 overs.
Another excellent match tea was provided by mum and sister of Manager Mark Pickersgill during the break and after the sustenance, it was time to resume the match.
Captain Hill opened the batting alongside in-form bowler Flaxman and led from the front with an unbeaten 51 not out after nearly two hours at the crease. In this format, a batsman has to retire at 50, only returning to bat when the remaining wickets have fallen. Not to be outdone by Hampshire, Dorset captain Wiltshire also took an excellent caught and bowled and Tyrone Whittle threw in for a direct hit at stumps to dismiss Morgan Judson for 16. Collins, Hollands, Luke Marks, Matthew Dale and Jack Watkins also proved significant in the field preventing runs and restricting the run rate for Hampshire.
With 2 wickets a piece for Best and Wiltshire, the run out by Whittle, Dorset just could not dismiss Hampshire within the required 35 overs but restricted their total to just 150 to claim the victory by 22 runs.
This now give Dorset 3 wins so far this season, more than last year and gives added confidence to host group leaders Somerset on 21st July again at Martinstown CC at 1pm.
Full Dorset Team: Stephen Wilshire (C) Josh Courtenay (VC), Andrew White (W), Sam Collins, Ian Hollands, Julian Pilditch, Tom Best, Matthew Dale, Mark Pickersgill (Manager), Jack Watkins, Tyrone Whittle & Luke Marks (Fielding Sub)
Dorset vs Somerset at Martinstown Cricket Club, Dorset
In the final match of the ECB South West Super 9s, Dorset Disability Cricket hosted Somerset Disabled CC at Martinstown Cricket Club on Sunday 21st July. The sun had just come out and the crowds of family, carers and supporters from both sides sat on the side-lines to enjoy an afternoon of cricket. Somerset won the toss and elected to bat.
Opening batsmen Nick Dean and James Mayled put on an impressive opening stand of 147. Both had to retire with Dean on 50 (no) and Mayled on 53 (no) as is the format in disability softball Super 9’s cricket. Dorset eventually made inroads into the Somerset batting order with Tom Best taking 3-38, Josh Courtenay and Andrew White taking a wicket a-piece, with a run out by Stephen Wiltshire assisted by Tyrone Whittle. Matthew Dale once again took a stunning catch to dismiss crowd favourite Ben Hallows for a duck. In the end, Dorset restricted Somerset to 214 -6 off their allocated 40 overs.
In reply, Dorset opened with a new partnership of Samuel Collins and Julian Pilditch. Unfortunately, this proved unsuccessful on this occasion, both falling cheaply with Collins (3) falling when the score was 14 and Pilditch (5) when the score had reached just 25 runs. Regrettably, in-form batsman Best was run out with just a single run. Then Dorset rallied with Wiltshire playing the captain’s innings and scoring a rapid 50 when he himself had to retire.
Dorset then went on to lose regular wickets to end 90 runs short of the Somerset total, 124 all out.
Dorset congratulate Somerset on ending the season unbeaten as well as group winners and wish them the very best of luck in the Semi-Final at Kidderminster on 11th August 2019 against the Derbyshire Merlins.
Our heartfelt thanks go to all the families and carers for bringing their players to all our home games., to Chrissy W for being our transport manager and driving the minibus to our away games, all the scorers including our own Chris K and umpires throughout the season. We also acknowledge the generosity of Dorset Vehicle Rentals at Bridport who supply our buses at a discounted rate throughout the season.
We would also like to thank Dorset County Welfare Officer and Disability Cricket Ambassador Phil Brown for coming to support us as well as Jeanette and Marie, mum and sister of our Manager Mark, for doing our delicious home match teas (very kindly donated by the Pickersgill family).
If anyone with a Learning and/or Physical Disability is interested in joining the club then we offer 2 x free trial training sessions during the winter months. For more information please contact Angie Pittaway on ddccchair@outlook.com
Dorset Disability Cricket Team: Stephen Wiltshire (Capt.), Josh Courtenay, Tom Best, Samuel Collins, Andrew White, Ian Hollands, Julian Pilditch, Tyrone Whittle, Jack Watkins, Jack Pittaway, Mark Pickersgill, Matthew Dale, Luke Marks (Fielding Sub)
