Weymouth lose to Sherborne Seconds by seven runs

WEYMOUTH lost by seven runs as promoted side Sherborne Seconds picked up their biggest scalp of the County Division Two season.

Playing their first game of the campaign, the basics deserted Weymouth as extras, dropped catches, sloppy ground fielding and poor running between the wickets contributed to their downfall.

Sherborne, however, will be pleased with their afternoon’s work after losing the toss and being asked to bat on a green surface at the Terrace.

Weymouth opening bowlers Adam Hoyes (1-38) and Neil Walton (1-36) struggled to make an impact despite an economical start in which the duo conceded only 12 runs from six overs.

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It took the introduction of leg-spinner Shafeek Urumancheri (2-28) to make two breakthroughs as Sherborne gathered pace to 99-0.

Richard Carter (48) was bowled after a positive innings and Fred Harden (33) was then snaffled by Tom England’s spectacular diving catch at mid-on.

Emlyn Kuhn (28) ruthlessly put the bad balls away before he chopped on after attempting a big heave at Jack Sapsworth (1-11).

Ash Guppy (29) added late runs as Hoyes and Walton returned to take a wicket apiece, restricting the hosts to 190-5 from 45 overs.

Weymouth were well-placed for victory but Sherborne bowled superbly, earning wickets at key times.

England (20) made a solid start before being stumped by the rapid hands of Carter off Andrew Guppy (2-34) and Marco Nott (15) was bowled attempting a slog sweep off Kuhn (1-39).

Walton (27) and first-team debutant Fletcher Tarry (9) quickly rebuilt but the duo were soon sent packing by two excellent deliveries from Luke Moyse (2-20).

Moyse first found the edge of all-rounder Tarry, Carter taking a good catch, and then produced an inswinging yorker to trap Walton leg before.

Were it not for a brilliant 70 from another debutant, Connor Wills, Weymouth would not have manufactured a chance of victory in the final stages.

His half-century included eight boundaries and two sixes, including a huge blow over long-on which saw him caught only for the fielder to carry the ball over the boundary.

At that point, Weymouth needed 12 from 11 balls with two wickets remaining but Harden (4-36) snuck one through Wills’ defence and Dan Biddiscombe bowled a tight final over to deny the Seasiders victory in a tense finale.

Speaking to Echosport, stand-in Weymouth skipper England said: “When the margin is so close it’s minor things that can make the difference which is the frustrating part.

“All credit to Sherborne who played very well and just edged it.

“We need to work on all parts of our game, every area we can improve on. In the bowling department we need to cut the extras.

“Our fielding unit needs to improve from catching to misfields and general game awareness.

“As a batting unit we need to rotate the strike and run between the wickets with more intensity.

“All three of those areas we didn’t do well enough and that's why we didn’t get over the line.”

On Wills’ knock, he added: “Connor’s innings was superb, he batted extremely well, took the game to the death and it’s gutting for him not to see it over the line.”

Elsewhere, Weymouth Seconds claimed maximum points in Division Five after Wimborne Fourths scratched.

Dorset Trade Skills man of the match: Connor Wills.