Blandford began the 2022 season seeking consecutive promotions after a successful 2021 campaign, winning County Division 2. The first match saw the 1sts travel to Hamworthy Recreation CC, one of the stronger contenders for promotion. After being put in, Blandford raced to 93-0 in just 11 overs thanks to a blistering 70 off 40 balls from Joe Freak. With the help of 50 from the captain and some lower order hitting - Blandford reached 263-8 off their 45 overs. A strong spell of 4-48 from Aaron Day kept Hamworthy behind the rate but Jack Satterley scored a magnificent run-a-ball hundred to give his team a strong chance of an unlikely victory. Blandford’s opening bowlers returned to the attack and took the final wickets to give Blandford a nail-biting victory by 8 runs.

The next match was a tough encounter at home to Stalbridge. After winning the toss, Blandford fell to 4-4 and 26-5 on a tough pitch thanks to an excellent spell of 5-33 by Stuart Sweatman. Christian Watts rescued the innings with 45 alongside helpful runs from Ed Wates and Aaron Day. Defending only 128, Ryan White took 6-18 in a superb bowling display to bowl Stalbridge out for 92 and seal victory by 36 runs.

Blandford’s excellent form continued with a 5-wicket win against a strong Poole Town side thanks to another 5-wicket haul from Ryan White. Blandford made it 4 wins from 4 after a tough run chase on a tricky wicket in Portland with Ben Robbins taking the team home with 24*. Back at home against Marnhull CC, 46 and 57 from Luke Carter and Joe Freak respectively took Blandford to 191ao before a well-rounded bowling performance limited Marnhull to 145ao, maintaining Blandford’s perfect start. A trip to Swanage CC followed, where a ton from Luke Carter and 50 from captain Jamie Mitchell left Blandford to defend 258. Despite resistance from Craig Wells, Blandford’s bowlers, led by captain Jamie Mitchell, secured a 34-run win to give Blandford yet another victory.

Blandford’s form began to falter after a shock 5-wicket loss against bottom of the table, Compton House. Despite an 8-wicket win against Wimborne CC, Blandford ended the first half of the season with 2 losses from their final 3 after falling 87 runs short of league-leaders Witchampton’s target of 234. Blandford’s poor form continued with another loss against a resurgent Hamworthy Rec CC who chased 242 in just 35 overs.

Next up was Stalbridge with Blandford desperate for 20 points after picking up just one win in their last 4 games. Stalbridge made a strong start thanks to 56 from James Lewis but opening bowler, Rob Harding returned to the attack to take 5-29 as Blandford bowled Stalbridge out for 156. Blandford’s top 3 made lightwork of their target as they cantered to victory just 2 wickets down. The team’s next test was away to Poole Town CC where, thanks to 4-27 from Andy Lawrence, their small target of 145 was chased down with relative ease. Next up, Portland travelled to Park Road where, after electing to bat, they were bowled out for 159 in 35 overs thanks to a strong bowling display from Blandford’s seamers. Luke Carter and Christian Watts (81* and 48 respectively) put 154 on for the first wicket, securing another Blandford victory.

The team travelled to Marnhull looking to extend their winning run and thanks to 92 from Jamie Mitchell and 69 from Mike Shepherd, Blandford posted 243 for 9 from their 45 overs. After some strong contributions from Marnhull’s top orders, Mike Shepherd took 5-49 to complete an excellent all-round display and secure a 20-run victory in the searing heat.

With just 4 matches left of the season, Blandford’s next test was Swanage at home. Runs from Jim Woodruff, Gus Mitchell and Ryan White boosted Blandford up to 239-8 of 45 overs. Swanage built strong partnerships to leave them in touching distance at 238-7, requiring just 2 to win with 5 overs left. However, an excellent catch from Stu Robbins to remove Freddie Long gave Blandford a glimmer of hope before Jamie Mitchell bowled a superb wicket maiden to remove Swanage’s set batsman. With 1 wicket to win and still 2 runs left, Rob Harding clean bowled the final batsman, snatching Blandford a remarkable victory from the jaws of defeat.

The following week, Blandford travelled to Compton House CC with a few players missing from the heroics of the previous weekend. After electing to bat and reaching 31-0, Blandford collapsed dismally to 99ao, without a single batting bonus point. With a weakened bowling attack, Compton House never struggled as they reached their target in 29 overs.

In the penultimate match of 2022, Blandford hosted Wimborne in a crucial match, leaders Witchampton were 8 points ahead of 2nd place Blandford with only 1 spot up for grabs in the Dorset Premier League. Wimborne batted first and once again; all the 7 bowlers used picked up a wicket in a well-rounded display. Set 218 to win from 45 overs, Mike Shepherd and Jamie Mitchell steered Blandford close with 70 and 44 respectively, but another collapse took us from 141-2 to 186-8. Stu Robbins took Blandford to parity before attempting a quick single to win the game leaving number 11, Martin Tuck, run out. The match tied; points shared. Witchampton extend their lead at the top to 13 points.

In the final match of the season, it was 1st vs 2nd, Blandford needed to win by 14 points to be promoted, anything else would promote Witchampton CC. Blandford struggled to find early wickets but with some tight bowling and excellent fielding, they limited their target to 172. With each team picking up the same bonus points, Blandford could only afford to lose 5 wickets in their run chase. Once again, a strong opening partnership of 123 between Christian Watts and Luke Carter set a strong platform and after Luke fell for a magnificent 97, all it required was for skipper Jamie Mitchell to hit the winning runs and take his side to the Dorset Premier League.