JAMES Nuttall became the youngest ever century maker for Dinton as the teenager a few weeks short of his 16th birthday hit a magnificent 146 to help his side to a massive 228-run victory over Michelmersh and Timsbury second string, writes RICH CRIDGE.

The 15-year-old which included his first ever six came to end in the penultimate over as he was caught in the deep, as finished having hit eight sixes and 13 fours.

Nuttall came to the centre after opener Tom Patrick was dismissed in the fifth over with the score on 21.

The teenager in partnership with his skipper Rich Cridge combined to then make a match defining partnership.

The M&T’s bowlers struggled to contain the Dinton batsmen particularly Nuttall who, having hit the first six of his career, went on a boundary spree.

Cridge was happy to take a back seat as Nuttall struck the ball to all parts.

Dinton’s 100 was brought up in only the 17th over and with only one wicket down.

At drinks, Dinton were 137-1 by which time Nuttall had brought up his first 50 but he was not finished there.

Cridge departed for 31 in the 22nd over ending a 124 run second wicket partnership.

Then the moment of the match with the sixth six of his innings Nuttall past the three figures mark to a standing ovation from the pavilion.

Although Dinton lost a couple of quick wickets the run rate did not drop and Harry Button steadied the ship adding 62 for the fifth wicket with Nuttall.

Nuttall’s outstanding innings of 146 was finally ended in the penultimate over.

Dinton’s innings closed shortly afterwards on a mighty 287-5 with Button 45 not out.

Jon Galpin 2-55 and Ian Clark 2-51 were the main wicket takers for the visitors.

M&T started their daunting task in the worst possible way as Sean Howell bowled Kevin Hitchcock and a couple balls later, he had Dean Scott caught at short mid-wicket.

Gareth Webber joined his skipper Dave Sharman, although their task was almost an impossibility, they were not going to go down without a fight as they were happy to play a few shots.

The visitors just got over 50, when Howell struck again. Dismissing both Sharman (22) and Webber (23) caught at slip and mid-on respectfully.

Howell completed his eight overs with 4-24 at the other end Martin Stennings was luckless finishing with 0-25 from his eight.

With six wickets still to go Dinton were determined to bowl their visitors out to gain maximum points from the game. The hosts were helped as M&T forgot the old cricketing adage of never running on a miss field.

Ben Coombes miss fielded, but once he gathered the ball was able to finally get his throw off for Patrick behind the stumps to whip the bails off.

Dinton changed the bowling with father and son Rich and Alfie Cridge bowling in tandem, the pair bowled well as wickets started to tumble.

Within nine overs the game was over as Cridge senior took 4-1 and Cridge junior 1-8 to complete an emphatic 228 run victory.

The day will be remembered for Nuttall’s first century but everyone involved with Dinton CC will know it will not be the last.

Next Dinton travel to Whiteparish to try for another win to push them up the table.