Dorchester 227-5 (19pts) beat WEYMOUTH 218-8 (10pts) by nine runs

DORCHESTER claimed derby-day honours for the fourth time in succession thanks largely to a superb 141-run partnership between all-rounders Rob Waite and Dan Belt.

The dynamic duo’s three-figure stand saw the county town side move from a nervy 27-2 to a significantly more comfortable 168-3.

Belt top-scored with 79 while Waite weighed in with an impressive 65, accounting for almost two-thirds of the home total (227).

Weymouth’s Matt Lawes (2-40) and Will McKay (2-32) both claimed two wickets apiece and it was they who gave the Seasiders hope in reply.

The Dorset Premier League encounter looked set for an early conclusion when the visitors were reduced to 80-5 and then 100-6.

However, the young guns kept the match alive with some excellent shot selection. McKay (74 not out) led the charge and the pair soon racked up a half-century partnership.

But the double act was cut short with the dismissal of Lawes (27), and despite McKay’s best efforts the Seasiders simply ran out of overs, falling just 10 runs short of completing a remarkable comeback.

And Dorchester skipper Martyn Richards was a relieved man come the final ball.

He said: “We managed to get there and fortunately we can relax after a few nerve-jangling overs towards the end. To get a win and 19 points in the derby is fantastic.

“Weymouth may have been 80-5 but that was the same position from which we won the game against Wimborne & Colehill the week before, so we knew we couldn’t be complacent and think it was game over.

“As it was Will McKay batted superbly and almost saw his team over the line. If one more top-order player had put in more of an innings then Weymouth will have felt they could have gone on to win the game.

“It was a great team performance from us and I was delighted with the lads’ attitude and application. The fielding was great towards the end and that was probably the difference between the two teams.

“I have take my hat off to the boys for a stellar performance in the field. Conceding only 16 extras was also crucial.”

Besides fine knocks from Messrs Belt and Waite, Richards gave praise to bowler Mike Peake (2-24) – a late call-up for the injured Phil Morley.

He added: “Mike bowled a miserly spell and took the key wickets of Paul Payne and Dean Janaway. He pulled up with a bit of a calf injury after his ninth over but it was an outstanding performance from him.

“Dan and Rob batted terrifically. In fact Dan was a little unlucky getting out and had he stayed in we probably would have been looking at 250.”

Opposite number Paul Payne remained positive in the face of defeat.

He said: “We’re battling really well and showing a great fighting spirit. I thought we did really well in the first 50 overs but Dan Belt and Rob Waite are class acts.

“At one point I thought they were looking at 270 or 280 but we fought back and pulled it back, so at tea we were really happy to keep them to 227.

“Unfortunately, we’ve been pretty inconsistent this year and all we needed was one of the top four to go on and get a big score.

“We left ourselves with too much to do in the end. Will McKay batted superbly though and we’ve missed having him around.

“It was disappointing to come away with a loss but we still took 10 points from it.”

Weymouth won the toss and their decision to insert the hosts looked to have paid off when Lawes removed both Dave Maslen (8) and Adam Rendell (2).

But Waite and Belt turned the screw before Quenton Miller (20 not out) and Richards (22 not out) saw out the remaining seven overs and took the county town tally to 227.

The Seasiders also struggled early doors in reply, losing openers Payne (8) and Dean Janaway (5) with just 32 on the board.

Tom England (36) and Jim Ryall (19) steadied the ship somewhat until falling victim to Miller (2-38) and Waite (2-36) respectively in quick succession.

Faraz Ulhaq (0) was then trapped leg before just two balls later and the away side looked down and out at 80-5 with 21 overs to go.

McKay – who plundered 74 from only 61 balls, including four sixes – gave the Seasiders a fighting chance alongside Sean Fitzgerald (16), Lawes and then Laurie Whyte (12 not out) but it wasn't to be.