BLANDFORD SECONDS 89 (3pts) lost to WEYMOUTH SECONDS 91-6 (18pts) by four wickets

THE father and son combination of Hugh and Matt Lawes led Weymouth Seconds to a four-wicket victory over Blandford Seconds at Park Road in Dorset League Division Two.

Matt Lawes took 4-42 as the Seasiders skittled the hosts for 89 in just 23 overs but what should have been a comfortable run chase turned into a tense struggle after a touch of complacency in the top-order saw the visitors reeling on 36-5.

With the ball swinging all over the place on a tricky wicket Weymouth were in desperate need of a cool head and the experienced Hugh Lawes provided it with a dogged 24 not out off 87 balls.

That patient innings stopped the flow of wickets and allowed new-signing Mark Tozer to go on the attack at the other end where he cracked two fours and a huge six on his way to 29.

Steve Budd then came in and provided another steady display to ensure the Seasiders continued their promising start to the campaign by sealing back-to-back victories.

Winning skipper John Ryan said: “To be honest the wicket was slightly ill-prepared. It had tufts of grass all over it and that is why I was delighted to bowl first.

“Matt Lawes was superb. He delivered a great line and length, and at one stage was completely unplayable as he went on to claim 4-42. And with Simon Browne (3-24) and Steve Budd (2-1) backing him up we bowled them out for just 89.

“Steve has now taken six wickets for just four runs in the opening two games, knocking over both Bridport’s and Blandford’s lower orders in superb fashion.

“With the likes of him and the wealth of all-rounders we have in the team the bowling side of things is not a problem at all. We were also fantastic in the field with Paul Payne taking two first-class catches in the slips that would have graced any standard of cricket.

“Unfortunately though, I think a bit of complacency crept in when we went in to knock the runs off. When you look at the team we had out, we had a lot of first-team experience in the side and I think we took things for granted.

“The top three did not do themselves any justice with the way they got out and although we dug in for a bit after that, we then lost two more quick wickets to reduce us to 36-5.

“They had an experienced bowler called Dave Abbott, who bowled left-arm over the wicket, and he caused us all sorts of problems, taking 2-16 and claiming seven maidens off 11.3 overs.

“But thankfully we had an experienced head of our own in Hugh Lawes who read the situation, dug his heels in and was a great example to the rest of the side.

“Chasing low totals is not always about hitting out with all guns blazing, sometimes you have to show some application and guile, and that is exactly what Hugh did.

“He also gave great support to Mark Tozer, who managed to take advantage of anything loose, as we regained control and eventually reached our target.”

The Seasiders are desperate to win promotion back to Division One this season and at the moment they are only one of three teams in the third tier who have enjoyed a 100 per cent start to the season. Table-toppers Winton Sports and Wimborne & Colehill Seconds are the other two sides.