Wiltshire CCC V Dorset CCC NCCA Trophy Match At Marlborough College

Sunday 29th May 2022

Despite extensive cloud cover, the forecast for the day was good, but with a biting cold wind for the spectators to endure! Having won the toss Dorset decided to bat first. The experienced pair of Felix Organ 49 and Oli Soames 31 established a firm foundation with an opening stand of 64 before Sonny Reynolds broke the stand when he had Soames caught behind by Ben Draper. However, this came at a price. Ben Draper suffered a severely bruised finger (hopefully nothing worse) in taking the catch and handed the gloves to Jake Goodwin. Felix Organ was the next to go caught by Jack Mynott off the bowling of Mikey Reynolds. Although they had made a solid start the run rate was not intimidating and the Wiltshire bowlers did well to keep the scoring shots to a minimum. Dorset skipper Luke Webb 5, was caught behind by Jake Goodwin with Mikey Reynolds 2 for 46, taking another valuable wicket. Josh Croom 2 for 31, returned to the action in devastating fashion taking a wicket with the very first ball of his next two overs with Sam Young bowled Croom for 32 and Alex Eckland LBW to Croom for just 8 and Dorset on 157 for 5. With the game at a crossroads enter Wadworth Man of the Match Joe King 5 for 42, who used all his experience and guile to dismiss the last 5 wickets. Harry Broderick was the only other batsman to make an impact hitting 2 sixes in his 29 before he was caught on the boundary by Oliver Meadows having put the previous ball over his head! The Dorset innings closed on 194 all out with 20 balls remaining.

Having kept Dorset below 200 Wiltshire knew that they had the men to do the job if only they could play to their potential. Jake Goodwin 45 started at a cracking pace bringing his club form to the crease (he is currently averaging 110 !) Sadly, Jack Stearman, Jack Mynott and skipper Ed Young failed to make double figures, but Oliver Meadows 43 and Ben Draper 50 (with an injured hand) put on 88 for the 5thwicket taking Wiltshire to 160 for 5. Just when it was looking comfortable for Wiltshire Felix Organ stepped up a gear and removed Ben Draper and Chris Aubrey as the score lurched to 170 for 7 with Organ looking dangerous. Fortunately for Wiltshire Mikey Reynolds 28 not out steered Wiltshire to a fine victory with Sonny Reynolds 3 not out, able to stay with him. With the scores level on 194 Reynolds decided to finish the game in style and launched a magnificent straight 6 to take Wiltshire to 200 for 7 and a convincing start to their NCCA Trophy campaign.