Weymouth beat Marnhull by 138 runs

WEYMOUTH finally opened their 2023 account with a crushing 138-run win over Marnhull in County Division Two at Redlands.

The Seasiders came into week four having twice been rained off before suffering a shock seven-run loss at Sherborne Seconds last week.

But after the returning Lloyd Beals, captaining Weymouth for the first time officially, won the toss and chose to bat on a rock-hard wicket, the Seasiders never looked back.

Beals and opening partner Tom England (40) cashed in on a depleted Marnhull attack and piled on 72 before England mis-timed a pull to square leg off Mike Eaton (1-69), despite suspicions of a no ball on height.

READ MORE: Weymouth lose to Sherborne Seconds by seven runs

The onslaught continued as Neil Walton joined Beals at the crease, the duo blasting the ball to all parts as Weymouth reached 175-1 off just 25 overs.

Beals (91) by that time had registered his half-century from 54 balls and accelerated by finding the boundary almost at will, crashing two sixes and 12 fours.

And he looked set for his maiden Weymouth century until he lofted George Dimmack (1-47) to Danny Harkin at mid-off.

Marnhull then managed to put the brakes on Weymouth’s scoring through the experience of senior Dorset left-arm spinner Rick Martin.

Martin bowled tidily and limited Weymouth’s boundary-scoring options, taking 4-44 from his nine overs.

However, Walton (100) batted until the 44th over to register his third Weymouth century from 76 balls, hitting 15 fours and a maximum, before Martin rattled his off stump.

Weymouth posted an imposing 287-7 from 45 overs but Marnhull kept themselves up with the required rate early on as Arthur Dimmack (56) batted positively.

He put on 69 with Danny Harkin (21) after Beals (1-27) bowled George Dimmack (5), leaving Marnhull on 84-1.

However, the introduction of leg-spinner Shafeek Urumancheri quickly spelled Marnhull’s downfall, including snaring his 100th Weymouth wicket.

The Indian star bowled Dimmack and blew apart the visitors’ middle order, taking 6-33 as Marnhull crashed to 119-8 with off-spinner Cube Whyte (1-37) also chipping in.

Late resistance from Eaton (21) delayed the inevitable before Fletcher Tarry (1-8) took his first Weymouth wicket and Walton (1-22) pouched a return catch off Eaton to wrap up a dominant 20 points.

Speaking to Echosport, Beals said: “I don’t think many captains would walk off the field and not be happy with that.

“After the first five or six overs I didn’t think 280 was possible but it seemed to be, as me and Neil found, that once you’re in it was going to take something good to get you out.

“We just teed off, which I’m sure for everyone else watching was thoroughly enjoyable!”

On Urumancheri’s display, Beals added: “I think Shaf’s been severely under-used.

“He gives you control and he’s my trustworthy bowler. Big shoutout to him getting his 100th Weymouth wicket.”

Weymouth Seconds made it a double victory for the Seasiders with a three-wicket win over rivals Portland Red Triangle Seconds in Division Five.

Dorset Trade Skills man of the match: Shafeek Urumancheri