Mather blames himself as Suttoners relegated (From Bournemouth Echo)

Mather blames himself as Suttoners relegated

8:22pm Monday 31st August 2009 in

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HONEST Grant Mather resigned as Suttoners captain after shouldering the blame for their top-flight relegation.

The Dean Park outfit will be plying their trade in Division One next term after a thumping 197-run win over Dorchester on the final day of the season failed to save them from the drop.

And Mather, who admits he is now considering his options following a tough campaign, pulled no punches in his assessment of the year.

He told the Echo: “I blame myself completely.

“People are saying ‘it’s unfair to blame yourself’, but I should have had the ability to score more runs and take more wickets.

“I don’t know if it was the captaincy that put me under pressure, but I will concentrate on my game next year.”

Mather believes over-confidence played a role in his team’s downfall after a possible title tilt was predicted going into the season.

He added: “Division One is one step back and three forward for the club.

“We were all confident that we would win the league.

“Maybe it was a bit of over-confidence, but next season in Division One will allow the club to go back to the drawing board and get back into the Premier as soon as possible.”

The all-rounder also revealed that he was thinking about making a move into the Southern League with Bashley.

“I’m friends with quite a few of their players and I’ve been thinking about playing with them for a while,” Mather confessed.

Suttoners’ final-day victory on Saturday owed much to a fine all-round effort from Chris Rawlings, who scored 70 of his side’s 271 for eight, before claiming three for 14 as Dorchester were dismissed for 74.

Jamie Gawler also played a key role with the ball as he claimed a triple-wicket maiden in the very first over of the Dorchester reply.

Wickets with his first, second and fourth deliveries set him on his way to impressive figures of five for 25.

Champions Parley rounded their season off in fitting fashion by recording a seven-wicket win over Stalbridge, who face a relegation play-off.

Sam Thomson (3-33), Raj Naik (2-20) and Matt Stickland (2-43) all contributed as Stalbridge were dismissed for 183.

And Parley reached their target in the 37th over for the loss of just three wickets.

Naik top-scored with 58 and Mark Elliott made an unbeaten 55 as Parley ensured they maintained an unbeaten run which stretches back to the end of April.

Kev Robbins’s stint as Blandford skipper ended on a winning note thanks to a thrilling one-wicket victory over Broadstone.

Robbins, who stood down as captain after the match, took three for 32 with the ball as Broadstone were dismissed for 129.

But that looked like being enough as Blandford slumped to 98 for nine in the run chase.

However, last pair Dan Brockway (26*) and Ritchie Thomas (15*) saved the day.

Ben Ratcliffe hit an unbeaten 63 then took three for 31 as Wimborne and Colehill produced a strong finish, defeating Weymouth by 48 runs.

Dave Pennell (58) and Andy Hayward (52) also scored half-centuries for the victors.

Poole Town secured the runners-up berth with a 102-run victory over Wayfarers.

Having posted 213 for eight batting first, Poole skittled their opponents for just 111.