STALBRIDGE 256-5 (25) beat WEYMOUTH SECONDS 155 all out (5) by 101 runs

ANDY Fulton hit a fine half century but it was still not enough to inspire Weymouth Seconds as they continue to search for their first victory of the season in Dorset Funeral Plan Division One.

Fulton shared an opening stand of 106 with Jonnie Armfield (27) but then fell leg before while well placed on 60.

That caused a major collapse, which saw nine wickets fall for just 49 runs as table-toppers Stalbridge comfortably made it three wins out of three.

Losing skipper Steve Budd said: "Our batting let us down today. Apart from Andy and Jonnie we all failed to fire.

"At 106-0 off 21 overs I sat with the team really believing that we were in a position to turn the leaders over. They were certainly twitching but in the end it wasn't to be and we came up woefully short.

"However, I am still pleased with how our young guns are performing and it's just a matter of time before we turn a few sides over.

"It's still very early in the season and they are still getting to grips with the higher standard of cricket but it will come.

"All we are looking to do is secure our Division One status so we can build their experience up. At the moment none of them are looking fazed and the desire to win games is growing."

Stalbridge won the toss and decided to bat on a good pitch in overcast conditions and they soon started making progress through openers Rob Burfitt (73) and Stuart Sweatman (23).

Neil Walton (2-47) then finally made the first break through by clean bowling Sweatman with the score on 45 but the league leaders never wobbled.

M Tomlinson (54) joined Burfitt in a second wicket stand of 103 and even when Armfield produced a stunning slip catch to dismiss the latter off the bowling of Jack Croker (1-38), the hosts still kept their composure.

In the end Stalbridge reached 256-5 from their allotted overs with Chris Warne (31), Mark Chant (29), and Reece Wilson (17) also chipping in with some solid scores in the middle order.

Budd said: "It was a tough 50 overs for us all out there but credit to Jack who reeled off ten quality overs of leg spin for 38 runs and Neil who finally got his first two senior Division One wickets after threatening for two weeks without success."

It was imperative that Weymouth's reply started well and Fulton and Armfield produced the goods. The latter stroked the ball around with confidence while his more aggressive partner cut loose with some big hitting that saw him reach a classy 50 off just 54 balls.

Seemingly cruising on 106-0 the visitors then lost their opening pair in quick succession. First, Tomlinson (2-16) trapped Fulton and then Armfield scooped a full toss to Ashley Clarke off the bowling of Andrew Dike (2-26).

That reduced the Seasiders to 110-2 and from that point on Stalbridge completely took command with Chant picking up 5-20 in a devastating spell.

Will McKay (11) and Andy Jarvis (12 not out) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures as the visitors eventually struggled to a disappointing 155 all out.

THE PARK SCOREBOARD

Stalbridge

Burfitt c Armfield b Croker 73

Sweatman b Walton 23

Tomlinson b Newton 54

Warne c Croker b Walton 31

Chant c McKay b Fulton 29

Miles not out 2

Wilson not out 17

Extras (15w, 4nb, 1b, 7lb) 27

Total (5 wkts, 50 overs) 256

Bowling: Walton 8-1-47-2, Fulton 8-0-32-1, Newton 9-0-47-1, Budd 9-0-40-0, Doidge 3-0-13-0, Croker 10-0-38-1, Armfield 3-0-31-0.

Weymouth

Armfield c Clark b Dike 27

Fulton lbw Tomlinson 60

McKay b Chant 11

Doidge c Forshaw b Dike 3

Jarvis not out 12

Wilsdon b Chant 8

Womble lbw Chant 0

Newton c Warne b Chant 4

Budd lbw Forshaw 0

Walton lbw Chant 5

Croker c Chant b Tomlinson 2

Extras (14w, 5nb, 4lb) 23

Total (all out, 42.5 overs) 155

Bowling: Forshaw 10-1-23-1, Miles 4-0-28-0, Burfitt 5-0-38-0, Dike 10-2-26-2, Tomlinson 3.5-0-16-2, Chant 10-1-20-5.