WEYMOUTH SECONDS 228-5 (20pts) beat WITCHAMPTON 143 (5pts) by 85 runs

BEN Doidge and Simon Mitchem put on an unbeaten sixth-wicket partnership of 145 to help Weymouth Seconds return to winning ways against Witchampton at Redlands in Dorset League Division Two.

The talented batsmen, who were making their first appearances for the second-string this season, both produced some sublime strokes to turn the tables after Steven Ashford (3-22) had inflicted some early damage, which had the hosts struggling on 83-5 in the 26th over.

At that stage it looked like the Witches were in full control but Doidge and Mitchem immediately went to work, scoring 18 boundaries between them as the visiting bowlers began to falter in the sweltering conditions.

Mitchem ended the innings on 44 not out while Doidge struck 90 not out off just 77 balls, which included nine fours and a quartet of huge sixes.

Prior to that stand Andy Jarvis (28), Will McKay (15) and Jonnie Armfield (12) had all failed to deliver on promising starts as Steven Ashford (3-22) cranked up the pressure in a fantastic opening spell with the new ball.

Realising it was predominantly a batsman’s wicket the Seasiders came out after tea and immediately applied some pressure on the Witches with some accurate bowling.

Karl Foster (33) and Adam Croker (44) put up good resistance in the top-order but Graham Puckett (2-34), skipper John Ryan (4-21) and youngster Jack Croker (3-52) proved too good as they ripped through the visiting batting line-up with regular breakthroughs.

The Weymouth bowling attack conceded just seven extras and Ryan was delighted with the overall performance, which has kept his side hot on the heels of unbeaten Winton Sports at the top of the table.

He said: “It was a belter of a track. And we always knew that once the sun started shining it would be a paradise for batsmen.

“However, having said that, it also always offers a bit for the bowlers as well, and it made for a really good game.

“We won the toss and batted, and we got off to a sticky start with a couple of our batsmen getting themselves out.

“Then, when we were struggling on 83-5, up stepped Ben Doidge and Simon Mitchem, who put on 145 together and were superb.

“Ben, in particular, was a revelation and now he is available for the rest of the season I am sure he will be pushing for a place in the first team.

“After that we kept our bowling nice and tight and got them out for 143 with Jack picking up three wickets, which was great to see after some good performances for the thirds.”