WEYMOUTH 123 (2pts) lost to Dorchester 124-3 (20pts) by seven wickets

DORCHESTER secured the double over rivals Weymouth to keep their Dorset Premier League title charge firmly on the right track – and push the Seasiders closer to danger.

The league leaders restricted the visitors to a mere 123 at the Rec, courtesy of a fine attacking display spearheaded by the new king of spin Rob Waite (5-21).

And the county town side took just one hour and 39 minutes to clinch their seventh league win on the bounce with the returning Lee Haynes (58no) leading the chase.

Victorious skipper Martyn Richards said: “Our plan was to bowl first if we could and hopefully bowl them out for another relatively low score.

“Everything we planned came to fruition and we’re really thrilled to get the win.

“You’d have to go back a number of years and delve into the history books to find the last time Dorchester did the double over Weymouth.

“They’ve got some cracking players and have shown in some of their games that they are a really good side, so we’re delighted to get 20 points and keep our title push going.”

Analysing the performance of his star duo, Richards added: “Rob’s been working very hard on his left-arm spin, the Rec is a great place to bowl if you’re a spinner and he’s turning into a really good one.

“He was great for us and took the last five wickets to ensure we bowled them out for a low score.

“Often you need one player to dig in and bat through, and Lee did that for us, batting fantastically well.”

Weymouth’s captain Paul Payne was disappointed to oversee such a heavy loss but the opening batsman remained gracious in defeat.

He said: “We’ve played Dorch-ester twice this season and both performances have been two of our worst of the season.

“Fair play to them, it was a good toss to win and there are no excuses as they bowled well and kept the pressure on us. They’ve played us twice now and thoroughly deserved both wins.

“It wasn’t a great wicket but it certainly wasn’t a 123-wicket, and when you only put 123 on the board you’ve got to have a lot of luck in the field.

“We’re getting dragged down there now, which isn’t ideal, but we’ve got three big games coming up against sides around us. So in a way they’re bigger games than this one against Dorchester.”

Dorchester won the toss, put their rivals into bat and made early headway as Jim Ryall (5) was trapped leg before by Phil Morley (2-47).

And, despite brief resistance from John Armfield (18), things went from bad to worse for Weymouth as they slumped to 49-4.

Dean Janaway (34) continued his return to form by top scoring for the Seasiders, but he was the only other batsman to reach double figures as Andy Mead (3-41), Morley and Waite filled their boots.

Xenon Ellis (0-12) also delivered a tight spell to ensure Weymouth closed on an unfancied 123 in the 35th over.

All was not lost for the visitors when Dan Hutchens (1-40) re-moved Pete Moxom (8) with the Dorchester reply on 13.

Paceman Andrew Falloon (1-16) was in fine form and bagged four maidens in his eight-over spell, which also included the wicket of Dave Maslen (20).

However, Haynes came to the fore and, despite the loss of Dan Belt (14), pushed the county town outfit to victory alongside Waite (16no).

Haynes’ unbeaten knock included eight fours and one six while 22 of his runs came from just seven balls delivered by Laurie Whyte (0-28).