WEYMOUTH 249 (8pts) lost to WIMBORNE & COLEHILL 252-6 (20pts) by four wickets

WEYMOUTH failed to find their home comforts as they marked their return to Redlands for the first time in a month with defeat to struggling Wimborne & Colehill.

The Seasiders were put in on a good batting track but were unable to build a good enough score, despite Andrew Falloon’s 74 not out helping them to 249.

However, that proved to be short of the pitch’s par score and Wimborne were able to polish off the runs needed to secure a victory that reeled the Seasiders closer towards the bottom of the table.

Skipper Paul Payne said: “The last couple of weeks we have put in some good performances and on Saturday we only managed bits and bobs.

“We played some good cricket but weren’t consistent enough throughout and didn’t put any big partnerships together at the start.

“It was a difficult pitch to know what was a good score because it was very good and ideally we would have liked to have chased, but they won the toss and thought the same.

“We got near 250, which at the start of the day we thought was great but what we got in the end was maybe 20 short of par.

“One of us top guys needed to go on and score some big runs but we’re not doing it consistently enough. We’re doing once every now and again but we need to do it more.”

Payne was dismissed for just eight and although the scoreboard ticked along steadily after the skipper had fallen, wickets also tumbled at regular intervals.

Jim Ryall (30), John Armfield (28), Kieron Womble (16) and Dean Janaway (35) reached double figures without pressing on to notch a big score.

However, New Zealander Falloon – normally contributing with his bowling figures such as a hat-trick and fifer against Parley two weeks ago – hit back and dragged Weymouth to a respectable total.

His 74 not out came from just 62 balls, but Matt Lawes (12), Laurie Whyte (2), Michael Pearce (6) and Dan Hutchens (3) all fell cheaply at the other end.

In reply, Wimborne and Colehill’s top four did the damage and set them on the way to victory as skipper Colin Randall (40) and Andy Hayward (54) put on an opening stand of 108.

It was not until Michael Pearce – Weymouth’s sixth bowler of the afternoon – was introduced that the home side enjoyed any success.

Pearce removed the pair in quick succession, only for Graham Cole (33) and David Guest (59) to take the game away from Weymouth once again.

It could have been so different though when Guest – on just two at the time – survived an extremely tight lbw shout from Australian bowler Whyte with the umpire appearing to have second thoughts as he prepared to lift his finger.

Cole and Guest went on to form a third-wicket stand of 91 before Pearce again struck twice in quick succession, the scalp of Cole being snared thanks to a stupendous one-handed catch from Payne.

Pearce also ran out Grant Cor-mack and Wimborne appeared to lack much else down the order with Ashley Collison (14no) the best of those remaining as James Miller (6) also fell.

Ed Steele (0no) did not even get off the mark as Collison struck the winning runs with a firm four past cover.

Payne added: “Michael came on and bowled really well. You know what you’re going to get from him – he gives it everything and deserved his wickets.”