WEYMOUTH 408-8 (20pts) beat POKESDOWN 195 (9pts) by 213 runs

DEAN Janaway came within a whisker of scoring one of the fastest centuries in Dorset League history.

The stylish left-hander fell just 10 runs short as top of the table Weymouth smashed 408 in 45 overs against Pokesdown in Sunday Division Four at Redlands.

That total is believed to be the highest by any Seasiders’ outfit in limited overs cricket with Janaway’s contribution being 90 off just 31 scoring shots and 41 balls faced.

His stunning knock included 16 fours and two sixes, with the end coming courtesy of a fine catch as he attempted to pierce the boundary ropes for a 19th time.

Having won the toss on a scorching afternoon, captain Bill Trevett had no hesitation in batting first.

And it was teenager Kieran Womble who got the run fest going with a 39-ball 72, which featured 13 fours and formed the bulk of an opening stand of 88 with Will McKay (24).

Fellow youngster Jack Croker weighed in with 51 while Dave Pearce (28), Jim Ryall (40), Steve Budd (31) and Trevett (26no) all ensured the visitors suffered a miserable afternoon in the sun.

Chasing 409 for victory, Pokesdown could have been forgiven for just going through the motions. However, they battled hard and Dave Butcher (57) and Pete Redgwell (44) offered plenty of resistance during a first wicket stand of 93.

But that was as good as it got in reply as David Trotter (1-34), Budd (3-32), Ryall (2-23), Pearce (1-4) and Trevett (1-5) restricted their 10-man opponents to 195 and seal a massive 213-run success for the hosts who have yet to drop a point this summer.

Weymouth’s Saturday first-team skipper Trotter said: “We decided to put a team in the Dorset Sunday League to help the development of the youngsters within the club and it is certainly producing the goods.

“The experience they gain playing alongside the likes of Dean, Jim and Tom England is invaluable and although Pokesdown did not have the greatest bowling attack the way some of the lads batted was just incredible.”

Weymouth scorer Darren Fry said: “I’ve never before seen a team score a total like that in 45 overs and it was amazing to watch. Dean, Kieran and Jack were in fantastic form and towards the end I had run out of space to write in the scorebook.”

Croker turned out for Weymouth Seconds the previous day and took 3-52 in an 85-run win over Witchampton and Trotter singled him out for special praise.

He added: “Jack is batting and bowling really well, and he showed second-team captain John Ryan once again just what he is capable of.

“We used to play friendlies on a Sunday for a bit of fun but by taking part in more competitive games it gives the youngsters more of an opportunity to show what they can do and it is great to see they are making the most of it.

“Although some of the first-team results have been a bit disappointing on a Saturday, where we have got so near to winning more games only to throw them away, I could not be more pleased with how things are going throughout the club.

“We have put a structure in place this year and the more time goes on the more everyone is going to benefit from it.”

This is Weymouth’s first season back in the Sunday League and they were simply too strong for Pokesdown. But credit to the opposition because they kept at it in difficult conditions and never gave up.