YOUNG cricketer Dominic Gape saved the day for a struggling team by clocking up more than a double century.

The 15-year-old batted his way to a total of 203 not out at Milton Abbas to snatch unexpected victory for his Bride Vale Cricket Club team.

Dominic Gape

Skipper Cliff Payne said: "I've been playing cricket for donkey's years and I've never seen anything like it.

"We only had nine players and when we went out to bat after tea I just hoped we could save our pride. I thought we might run out of time and get a draw.

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"I didn't think in my wildest dreams that we could win, but Dominic just kept on getting the runs.

"He's a really good player - it was fantastic to see him. I wouldn't be surprised if he got a call to play for England one day."

The team, based at Little Bredy near Dorchester, faced the daunting task of beating Milton Abbas's score of 252 for 7.

Dominic, who had earlier bowled 3 for 46, opened the batting with team mate Dean Sweet. They battled on for 35 overs to notch up an unbeaten stand of 258 and secure victory by eight wickets.

Dominic, who lives at Burton Bradstock, said: "I didn't think about it at the time.

"We went out to enjoy ourselves - and it was brilliant."

Traditionally a player who scores a century is expected to buy jugs of beer for his team - but at 15 Dominic was too young to buy alcohol.

Cliff said: "We had to sort that out ourselves."

Dominic's father, Chris Gape, said: "We're really proud of him. He's a keen sportsman, passionate about football as well as cricket."

Dominic, who is in Southampton football club's academy, also plays cricket for other teams and had scored more than 50 runs in Bridport the previous day.

He will be playing for Bride Vale on Sunday when the club plays host to a team from Wasps Rugby Football Club.

Dee Adcock