CHALKE VALLEY 170-4 (21pts) beat WEYMOUTH 169 (5pts) by six wickets

WEYMOUTH comprehensively lost by six wickets to rising stars Chalke Valley in their County Division Two clash at Butts Field.

The Seasiders unleashed a strong side at the reigning Division Three champions, who also beat Premier League teams Sherborne and Dorchester on their way to the Dorset T20 title last season.

After winning the toss, Weymouth elected to bat on a warm day but Chalke enjoyed the best of the bowling conditions with the pitch flattening out as the match endured.

Valley used early lateral movement and unpredictable bounce on a length to good effect, removing Dom Webb (4), Kieron Womble (8) and Johnny Armfield (4) cheaply, Harry Hitchings claiming 2-28.

READ MORE: Jack Sapsworth guides Weymouth to victory over Shillingstone

Neil Walton (46) and Jack Sapsworth (16) provided resistance in the middle order but both men were bowled by Josh Goodchild (2-29) either side of Lloyd Beals (0) chopping on to his stumps.

Six down before reaching triple figures, Weymouth were indebted to a trademark big-hitting knock from Tim Guyett (44) to get them to a defendable total.

Guyett plundered a huge six over the longest boundary on what is a large ground, building a valuable partnership with skipper Harry Mitchell (9) in support.

But a comical run out deprived Guyett of his half-century and Guy Farrand (3-32) polished off the tail as Weymouth were dismissed for 169.

Chalke Valley lost Farrand (2) to a good catch by Sapsworth off Armfield (1-42) before the hosts showed their quality with the bat.

Glenn Willoughby crashed 28 alongside a classy innings from Guy Souch, but Weymouth hit back as Walton (2-41) bowled the former before trapping TV historian James Holland (1) lbw.

But Souch (81) coasted to his fifty and shared a magnificent century stand with Hitchings (42no) as Chalke sucked the life out of Weymouth’s fightback.

Souch was bowled late on by Guyett (1-2) but Chalke needed just four to win and duly got home with five overs to spare.

Speaking to Echosport, Mitchell said: “Winning the toss and batting first, you’re not looking to post 170.

“On that track, I thought we were looking at 200 minimum. We didn’t build enough partnerships with the bat – there were only two with Neil and Jack, myself and Tim.

“Yes, the pitch was up and down and difficult at times. We could’ve applied ourselves better.

“The team we had out was strong, so we should’ve done more.

“Bowling-wise we were decent, I don’t think we were amazing. We should’ve put the ball in good areas for longer.

“It kind of just petered out, they batted really well. Their opener didn’t give us a sniff and was the best batter I’ve seen in a long time, including Div One. Credit to them.”

Dorset Trade Skills man of the match: Neil Walton

Elsewhere, Weymouth Seconds beat Dorchester Thirds by nine wickets in County Division Six.