The dorset cricket yearbook 2013 final

THE DORSET CRICKET YEARBOOK 2013 order for these young players to realise their potential to play at the highest level, Dorset has to create a league structure that will allow them to meet their aspirations. More will be revealed in the coming months.

Turning to the DFP Dorset Cricket League, 2012 saw the emergence of Wimborne/Colehill CC as Team of the Season. Not only did the 1st XI snatch the Premier League title away from Parley on the last day of the season, after tying with them on points, but the 2 nd XI triumphed in Divisions 2, whilst the 3rd XI and the 4th XI finished runners up in Divisions 4 and 6 S&E. Peter Douch and his family have derived great pleasure from this outstanding achievement, as would his father, Jack, an Honorary Life Member and long-time supporter, who died earlier this year. It also raised a huge smile on John Ridout’s face, who happens to be the Club’s Chairman and 3rd XI Captain.

At the other end of the table, Winton, burdened by their 50 point penalty, finished 10th behind ninth placed Blandford, and as you will note from the proposal, wish to be relegated. As there was no “play off”, it falls on this evening’s meeting to decide their fate. Division 1 was another close run contest going down to the wire, but Swanage eventually asserted itself at the expense of Bere Regis.

The rise of Martinstown in Division 2 gave cause for encouragement, but it came at a great cost. Nick Quintrill’s untimely death has shaken all who knew him. Not only was he an inspirational captain, but a devoted clubman and I am sure that his legacy will increase the determination of the players to finish the job, the foundations he helped lay.

In Division 3, Compton House began its phoenix rise, but further down the table there was a tight battle between Parley 2nd XI and Broadstone 3rd XI to avoid the drop. Both sides shared the same points. However, Parley had the better playing record between the two, and so survived. Wareham maintained their excellent form throughout and was the sole Saturday side to remain undefeated. The club’s S. Bishop’s 189 v Lytchett was acclaimed the highest individual batting performance and he collected his award at the recent Presentation Evening.

Division 5 N & W was another example of the nail biting finishes that featured throughout.

This time Weymouth Longshots squeezed past Abbotsbury by a mere two points. Finally, commiserations to Britannia, who were newcomers to Dorset League cricket. In their debut season, as members of Division 6 S & E, they failed to secure a win, but I am sure this will not deter them from re-applying in December.

The Longham Garden Machinery Cricket League Division 1 champions were St George’s, elevated from their 3rd place in 2011. This brought some kudos to the western wing of the county, having been absent for several seasons. Divisions 2, 3 and 4 were closely contested affairs. Corfe Mullen nudged out Dewlish by 4 points in Division 2, whilst Portland RT held a 7 point advantage over Sherborne in Division 3. Swanage 2nd XI managed one up on their 1st XI by holding off Sturminster & Hinton’s assault on the title. Division 5 clubs were the hardest hit with a modest 10 fixtures set, following pre- and early season withdrawals where Studland were the ultimate victors.

For those clubs which found themselves languishing in the relegation zone of their associated division, often their fates had been sealed by points penalties for scratched matches or where depleted playing numbers had weakened their chances.

The relationships with our “associates” remain on pretty sound footing. The DCCCXI v DCL XI at Dean Park in early April was curtailed by the weather, but not before the county 57