POOLE TOWN 211-8 (20pts) beat WEYMOUTH 146 all out (6pts) by 65 runs WEYMOUTH skipper Dave Trotter was determined to focus on the positives on Saturday despite seeing his side suffer a disappointing defeat at Poole Town in the opening game of their Dorset League Premier Division campaign.

Dan Hutchens picked up 5-42 and new-signings Vijesh Mote (46) and Faraz Ulhaq (25) both showed great potential with the bat but ultimately it was a fantastic century from home opener Ben Dyson (118) that proved the difference between the two sides.

Trotter, who had to watch the game from the pavilion due to a knee injury, said: “Of course it is disappointing to start with a loss but there were a lot of positives we could take from the game.

“Dan proved his ability to take wickets at this level by picking up five and Sean Fitzgerald and Laurie Whyte both bowled good tight spells in what was a decent fielding performance.

“Unfortunately we missed a chance to get Dyson out early and he went on to score a century but even though they reached 211, we still felt confident we could chase that down.

“However, Dean Janaway, Sean and Tom England all lost their wickets early and that immediately put us under pressure.

“Jim Ryall did okay at the top of the order and when Vijesh and Faraz came together they looked like they might go on and win it for us.

“But just as Vijesh looked like he was going to open up with some big shots he was unfortunately run out and in the end we were bowled all out for 146.

“Losing your first game of the season is never nice but with the four or five players we have to come back and the encouraging signs we showed today I am sure we can bounce back from this straight away.”

Poole won the toss and decided to bat on a green wicket and a fine opening partnership of 44 from Dyson and Kristian Wilson (21) soon had them in good shape.

Wilson then found the hands of Janaway off the bowling of Hutchens before the ex-Weymouth skipper then pulled off a second catch to see off B Edgehill (13) as the Seasiders began to show some cutting edge with the ball.

However, a third-wicket stand of 60 between Dyson and B Alam (20) got Poole back on track and on course for a big first innings total.

Weymouth knew they had to dig deep again and Fitzgerald came up with the goods by trapping Alam leg before.

Ulhaq then caused Dave Miller (2) to edge through to Ryall before Hutchens found the front pad of Martin Ford (1) as Town lost three quick wickets.

The Seasiders then claimed the big wicket of Dyson, who holed out to White off the bowling of Hutchens, and from there the home side’s innings fell away.

Chasing a target of 211, the Seasiders took to the crease for their reply looking for a solid start but unfortunately it did not materialise due to a great opening spell from Ford (3-10).

The talented bowler claimed the wickets of Janaway (0), Fitzgerald (4) and Ryall (21) before Thomas (1-28) trapped England (0) leg before to leave the visitors struggling on 27-4 and in desperate need of a strong partnership.

Mote and Ulhaq provided it with a fifth-wicket stand of 59 before the latter sent a delivery from Wilson (1-44) into the hands of Andy Groome.

Despite that setback Mote continued to look menacing along with new man in Andrew Fulton (18) until the Indian all-rounder was cruelly run-out just four runs short of a debut half-century.

Mote’s exit ended Weymouth’s chances as wickets began falling again at regular intervals as Poole regained full control to go on and skittle the Seasiders and claim the win.