By Roy Honeybone
Wiltshire v Dorset
This was a return T20 double-header and with the Currie brothers Scott and Bradley plus Hampshire contracted Ollie Soames, Dorset looked like they were out for revenge for the defeats inflicted on them earlier this season. Despite a threat of rain all day long, Wiltshire defeated the rain, but, sadly, not their opponents.
In the first game, Wiltshire won the toss and elected to field. They contained Dorset to a modest yet challenging 125 for 5 with Arthur Godsal picking up two wickets, including the prize wicket of Ollie Soames, lbw, who held the Dorset innings together with a fine 51. In reply, Wiltshire lost wickets with regularity, especially to the impressive England U19 international Scott Currie who took 4 for 13 from his four overs. Only Neil Clark held firm to score a vital 31, but it was not enough, and Wiltshire eventually fell away to be bowled out for 99 with 8 balls to go. First blood to Dorset.
Arthur Godsal
Wiltshire won the toss again and decided to bat first. At 68 for 8, this was looking like a bad decision with only Jack Bramwell, 18, able to hold up the procession of wickets for a while. But Tahir Afridi, 25 not out, and Luke Evans, 21 not out, hadn’t read the script and put on 51 in an unbroken 9th wicket partnership which gave Wiltshire some hope.This included 15 in the last over from the hitherto impressive Scott Currie. The innings closed on 119 for 8, but would it be enough?
Jack Bramwell
Unfortunately, it was not, as the impressive Tom Prest hit 41 with Ollie Soames, 36 not out, and Alex Ecklund, 30 not out, completing the task with ease. Jacob Lintott took two of the three wickets, but Dorset won the game and the day with seven wickets and 11 balls to spare.