Keech loves league's increased standard (From Bournemouth Echo)

Keech loves league's increased standard

5:20pm Monday 29th June 2009 in

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FORMER Middlesex and Hampshire batsman Matt Keech has welcomed the increased competition in this season’s Premier Division – with his Broadstone team forcing their way into the title mix.

Keech hit 70 as Broadstone defeated inconsistent Blandford to move above Poole Town and into third position.

The victory puts Keech’s side well and truly in contention for the silverware, with a multi-team tussle emerging at the top of the table.

“It’s great – the league is getting better every year,” said Keech.

“It’s probably my fifth year and it’s gone from two or three strong sides to being quite open now.

“That can only be good for the county that all those sides are raising their games.

“Not many teams have changed their players that much, but they just seem to be approaching the games better.”

On Saturday, Matt Spraggs (4-37) helped restrict Blandford to 196 for six (Luke Carter 54).

In reply, Keech (70) and Robin Wallis (62) helped Broadstone to a three-wicket victory, despite a mini collapse.

Keech was quick to praise his team-mate Wallis after his heroics on back-to-back weekends, adding: “The innings Rob Wallis played against Poole Town last week when he got 97 not out was an amazing innings and he got another half-century again on Saturday.”

• Wayfarers’ Leigh Dunham again produced a headline-grabbing performance by recording a second consecutive undefeated century to inflict Poole Town’s third defeat in a row.

Following his maiden Dorset League ton last week at Wimborne, the talented 17-year-old again turned on the style, producing an innings of flair and power to help his team to an eight-wicket victory.

Occasional bowler Jason Thake claimed five wickets in a fine spell as Badrul Alam (41) and Dave Miller (35) helped Poole to 168.

And that proved far too low a total to cause Wayfarers any problems, as Dunham quickly set about the run chase.

His 100* was the highlight of the reply, with Dean Elsworthy (25) and Ryan Wiggins (29*) also chipping in.

• Parley took full advantage of another Poole slip-up to move to the summit at the halfway stage of the campaign.

The men from Dean Park further enhanced their fine record with a two-wicket win over struggling Stalbridge.

They opened up a one-point average lead over Weymouth following a good all-round performance.

Star player Raj Naik (3-34), Salman Khattak (2-47) and captain Neil Summerson (2-38) produced the goods as Stalbridge were dismissed for 212.

Parley’s reply proved to be a well-paced team effort with Sam Collins (53), Sam Thomson (43) and Matt Stickland (27) contributing the best scores

• Suttoners remain rooted to the foot of the table after they suffered a thumping defeat at the hands of Dorchester.

The basement boys were skittled for a poor 94, a total which Dorchester successfully chased for the loss of four wickets.

• In a high-scoring clash, second-placed Weymouth (303-7) got the better of Wimborne and Colehill (289-9) by 14 runs.