WEYMOUTH 222-8 (18pts) beat COMPTON HOUSE 164-7 (7pts) by 58 runs
WEYMOUTH took a giant step towards securing promotion from County Division Two with a 58-run victory over Compton House at Redlands.
On a magnificent weekend for the club, Weymouth moved to within two points of leaders Corfe Mullen, who were rained off at Cerne Valley.
And their seconds achieved promotion from Division Five, beating Cattistock & Symene Thirds by five wickets.
Kieron Womble ignited the Seasiders' first XI with a stupendous 106 not out, taking his average to a mammoth 289 for the season.
READ MORE: Weymouth beat Parley Seconds by six wickets
He helped the Seasiders accelerate from 88-4 after 20 overs to 222-8 by 38 overs, the reduced allocation caused by rain delays.
Tom England (14) and Mark Gregory set the platform for Weymouth, building to 48-0 before the former’s run out by Max Dangerfield.
Gregory (37) joined forces with Womble but he was swiftly trapped lbw to JP Tatham (1-49) having struck seven fours.
John Wilson (6) and Lloyd Beals (1) fell cheaply but Womble began to cut loose and dominated the away attack despite wickets falling around him.
Connor Wills (16) was the only other batter to reach double figures, with Weymouth calling upon 27 extras to boost their total.
However, the innings belonged to Womble, finishing unbeaten on 106 off just 81 balls having creamed 16 fours and a maximum.
Leg-spinner Piers Griffith-Jones came in for particular punishment, taking 1-51 off four overs.
Weymouth dented House’s hopes of victory with two early wickets, Beals (1-10) pinning Jamie Guy (1) lbw and Adam Hoyes (1-26) bowling Michael Harper (8), the Dorset League's third-highest run-scorer (606).
When leg-spinner Shafeek Urumancheri (2-24) bowled the dangerous Chris Haynes (17) and had Jomon John caught, House slipped further behind the asking rate.
Giles Reynolds battled on with a commendable 82 not out from 101 balls but barring his efforts the Seasiders were never stretched.
There was even a maiden Weymouth wicket for leg-spinner John Wilson (1-3), removing Griffith-Jones (2) lbw as the visitors finished on 164-7.
Speaking to Echosport, Weymouth captain Beals has his sights fully set on the title.
He said: “It certainly makes things interesting because Corfe would have had to lose two out of four games and win all four to have a chance of winning the league.
“It’s appalling what has happened at Cerne with the theft of their covers. However, would their game have been on if they had not been stolen? Who knows?
“Looking at the rest of the county, I doubt it. We certainly have been fortunate.”
On Womble’s knock, he added: “Womble has been phenomenal every game he’s played. Averaging 290 is no mean feat, he took a very good bowling unit apart.”
At Symene, Weymouth Seconds skittled Cattistock & Symene Thirds for just 65 before reaching 66-5 to earn a five-wicket win and successive promotions.
Beals said: “The second team have had a really settled side, with a lot of talent amongst their ranks.
“A few have come up on the odd occasion and played for me and not looked out of place, so I’m not surprised they are where they are.”
Dorset Trade Skills man of the match: Kieron Womble
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