FERNDOWN WAYFARERS 186 (5pts) lost to WEYMOUTH 187-3 (20pts) by seven wickets

PAUL Payne and the returning Rob Nobbs were just two of the standout performers in another fantastic team display from Weymouth at Redlands.

Payne top scored for the hosts with 77 not out and Nobbs grabbed 5-48 with the leather as the Seasiders pulled off a seven-wicket success over Ferndown Wayfarers, but they were not the only ones to contribute. Weymouth skipper Dean Janaway, whose side now sit fifth in the Dorset Premier League, said: “It was another fantastic win.

“We lost the toss on a good wicket with a fast outfield so when they were 50-0 off the first 10 overs it looked they might go on and set a massive target.

“However, we managed to peg them back in the middle overs and then went on to build pressure to eventually get them for 186.

“Rob took a fifer and was fantastic but so were the rest of the bowlers. Once again they performed superbly as a unit and to restrict Ferndown to less than 200 after the start they had was very pleasing indeed.

“We did drop a couple of chances and give them a few extras (39) but generally we were fantastic in the field, with Payner taking a stunning one-handed catch at gulley to get rid of their number three which really got the momentum going.

“When we came out to bat, Hayden White (32 off 19 balls) got us off to a bit of a flier and after we had done our best to almost see off their danger man Eric Linge, Payner and Kieron Womble (40 not out), who have both been fantastic this season, came together and saw us to victory in the 34th over.

“There is just a fantastic spirit in the camp at the moment. Everyone is enjoying their cricket and I think that goes a long way. The aim now is just to try and keep the momentum going.”

Rob Bowering (34) and Will Sansom (24) put on 60 for Ferndown’s first wicket but when birthday boy Jim Ryall stumped the former off the bowling of Dan Hutchens (2-33) the tide turned.

Nobbs followed up by clean bowling Sansom before Payne’s wonder catch saw off Nabil Alibhai (8) to peg the away side back to 81-3, but there was still the huge task of trying to dismiss Dorset ace Linge (20).

Ferndown’s number four initially looked a huge threat but some tight bowling soon had him flustered and when he skied a delivery from Ben Lawes (3-38) to the safe hands of Payne, the visitors were left looking fragile.

Neil Sexton (16) and Daryl Baines (30) dug in but once that partnership was broken the Seasiders ripped through the tailenders in ruthless fashion.

In reply, White and Janaway (24) put on an opening stand of 47 and even when Wayfarers hit back with two quick wickets, Weymouth refused to buckle.

White fell to Baines (1-35) before Linge gained revenge over Lawes (0) by cleaning him up first ball with a mesmerising yorker. However, Janaway then helped steady the ship and after he eventually departed, Payne and Womble made light work of the back-end bowlers to put on an unbeaten stand of 113 to lead the hosts to a fifth victory in their last six games.