END OF THE DREAM

Going into their final fixture with Stalbridge at Redlands, the second place Seasiders needed to win and hope that Colehill would do likewise against leaders Poole Town.

Having done their bit by completing a fairly comfortable four-wicket success just before the heavens opened, Hugh Lawes' men were then subjected to possibly the most agonising 45 minutes of their careers.

Gathered in the home dressing room, wicketkeeper Jim Ryall, who had rushed to the ground booted and suited after missing the match because of a wedding, was given the job of calling Colehill scorer Chris Drew on the mobile phone for an update from Wimborne Road.

At first the news was promising. Chasing 272 for victory, Colehill needed around 50 runs to win from eight overs with four wickets in hand.

Less than two minutes later, Ryall's team mates were begging him to ring again, but this time the reply was less encouraging - 230-odd for eight wickets.

Within seconds Chris telephoned to say 'make that nine wickets', although on the plus side, she revealed that talented Dorchester-based accountant Nigel Woodruff was at the crease.

In the end it all got too much for the Seasiders players who demanded Ryall get back on the phone and stay there.

For the next ten minutes it was like Radio Four's Test Match Special with Ryall's commentary proving more than a match for Jonathan Agnew, although at times the language left a little bit to be desired.

Suddenly there came a cry of "Yesssssssss!" from the Dorset Minor Counties

player, "Woodruff has hit a six." Then came a scream of "Yes, yes, yes! He's hit

another six."

When the celebrations finally died down, the man with the phone pinned to his ear informed his team mates that there was now seven runs required off two overs with Woodruff on strike, facing the bowling of Dave Porter.

Seven runs between Weymouth and the championship trophy - you could have cut the atmosphere with a knife.

The deafening silence seemed to last an age until, with the painful yelp, Ryall delivered the news they'd all been dreading.

"Woodruff is out, hit

wicket. He fell back on his stumps. Poole have won by six runs."

For the next ten minutes the place was like a morgue. Twelve dejected Seasiders slumped, head in hands, reflecting on what could have been.

Flashing through their minds no doubt were images of dropped catches, rejected lbw appeals and loose shots that, given their time over again, they never would have played. So near, but yet so far for the second summer running - cricket can be a cruel game.

But they shouldn't be too downhearted. The Seasiders have performed magnificently this year, and that's without the luxury of an overseas player. For the first time in the club's

history they've provided Dorset with four team members and in 15-year-old Dan Belt they have an West of England regular.

Earlier, it had been the all-round talents of Ben Lawes, Paul Payne's bowling and the batting skills of Dean Janaway that had guided Weymouth to victory over Stalbridge.

Having won the toss, Weymouth's need for maximum points saw skipper Hugh Lawes invite the visitors to bat first. But it was all going horribly wrong for the hosts as their opponents reached 126 without loss.

The Seasiders' normally reliable seam attack failed to make any impression on openers Phil Anyan (77) and Jamie Dike (43) but that all changed when the captain turned to off spinner Ben Lawes and leg spinner Payne.

Each picked up three wickets as Stalbridge ended their innings on a disappointing 198-6, although the North Dorset outfit had done enough to deny their championship-chasing opponents maximum bowling points.

If Stalbridge's opening partnership had been impressive, Weymouth's was even better with Dean Janaway and Tommy England cruising their way to 128 in 24 overs. And the Tandoori pair looked like they'd go all the way until England, in for the absent Ryall, was finally dismissed for 37.

Janaway played superbly for his 75 and it was Ben Lawes (29no) who steered the Seasiders safely home despite a mid-order wobble during which Dave Pearce, Payne, Chris Knight and Glen Dawson all departed cheaply.