WEYMOUTH 199 all out (19pts) beat FERNDOWN WAYFARERS 178 all out (9pts ) by 21 runs

TOM England scored an unbeaten half-century to lead Weymouth to their first win of the season at Redlands in the Dorset Premier League.

The middle-order batsman arrived at the crease with his side toiling on 49-3 and in desperate need of a steady head, and that is exactly what he provided.

Despite wickets falling around him at regular intervals, England retained his composure and went on to score 62 not out, which included a vital last wicket stand of 36 alongside tailender Rob Nobbs (3).

The top order had once again failed to fire for the Seasiders with skipper Paul Payne (8) and Jim Ryall (3) both having gone cheaply.

Dean Janaway (20) and Jonny Armfield (19) showed a little more promise only to then get out to soft dismissals.

Janaway was particularly frustrated with the manner of his departure, which saw him find the hands of James Raftery off the bowling of Andre Jensen (2-27), while Armfield was left seething after becoming the victim of a disappointing run out.

Thankfully though, England, aided by Faraz Ulhaq (23) and Matt Lawes (15), ensured the hosts posted a challenging target of 199 on a tricky wicket.

Payne said afterwards: “We lost the toss and got stuck in but we did not mind that at all as we were playing on pitch two and knew the wicket would get worse as the game went on.

“We were on that pitch because of the Dorset game being staged on pitch one the next day and to get to 199 off the last ball was very pleasing as we knew that would be tough to chase down.

“Once again we lost early wickets, which is something we need to address, but Tom then came in and batted superbly to carry us through alongside Faraz, Matt and Rob.”

Ferndown’s reply got off to an encouraging start with a first-wicket stand of 31 but when Lawes (3-25) clean bowled James Stanton (15) it led to two more quick breakthroughs with Nobbs (2-33) picking off both Dean Elsworthy (1) and Raftery (0) in the very next over.

That left the visitors struggling on 33-3 but with opener Neil Sexton (30) still at the crease and new batsmen Iain Griffiths (62) looking in good touch they began to mount a response.

The pair put on 35 before a wonderful delivery from Dan Hutchens (2-37) caused Sexton to edge through to the gloves of Ryall.

However, unperturbed, Griffiths continued the assault and shared a superb partnership of 49 with Nabil Alibhai (13) before Faraz Ulhaq (2-28) entered the attack and broke it by cleaning up the latter’s stumps.

Ben Peake (10) and Jensen (13) then attempted to support Griffiths but the number five was now beginning to feel the pressure as Weymouth continued taking wickets.

Eventually that strain told in the 44th over when Hutchens and the safe hands of Payne sent the in-form batsman back to the pavilion to swing the momentum back into the hosts’ favour.

Needing 40 for victory off five overs with three wickets in hand, Ferndown desperately needed their tail to wag but despite a brief flutter from Jensen (13) and Richard Sellers (8 not out), the Seasiders knocked over the remaining wickets for just 18 runs to claim victory.

Payne added: “We bowled and fielded well, and once again took all our chances, which was really pleasing as we have worked on that area a lot.

“As everyone knows we are in a transitional period at the moment but people are standing up to be counted and that is exactly what we need at this time.

“It is always important to get that first win under your belt as soon as possible otherwise it can play on your mind a bit, so hopefully this performance will now give us a lot of confidence for the weeks ahead.”