WEYMOUTH 222-6 (20pts) beat CERNE VALLEY 99 (3pts) by 123 runs

WEYMOUTH overcame tricky batting conditions and ended a two-game losing streak to beat Cerne Valley by 123 runs in their County Division Two clash at Redlands.

The Seasiders lost the toss and were asked to bat first by Cerne, who bowled well up top to stifle the hosts’ normally flowing batting.

Lloyd Mitchem (2-30) struck twice in two balls to remove Lloyd Beals (14) and Neil Walton (0) before John Wilson (19) counter-attacked with three boundaries.

However, he was pinned lbw by Pearce Mercer (1-30) and opener Tom England (12) then nicked Craig Kellaway (1-28) behind to wicketkeeper Tom Atkinson.

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Weymouth were on 64-4 at this point but were given fresh impetus by Connor Wills, whose 30 included six fours off 30 balls before Simon Reeves (1-30) produced a jaffa to bowl him.

With guile and experience, Cerne looked to turn the screw with their slower bowlers and low bounce a constant threat to the batters, Weymouth’s next partnership proved high-quality.

It came from debutant Mark Gregory (75no) and Cube Whyte (52) as the duo shared 113 runs for the sixth wicket to dig Weymouth out of trouble from 98-5.

Gregory ended unbeaten after 79 balls, having hit ten boundaries and a six, while Whyte struck eight fours in his knock.

They pushed Weymouth to 222-6 and a total that would always take some getting.

So it proved as six Cerne batters were sent packing for ducks in the chase, Weymouth’s five bowlers all taking two wickets apiece.

Beals (2-16) got the initial breakthrough by bowling Atkinson (0) and Adam Hoyes (2-18) then bowled a seed to castle Russ Hurford (1).

Pearce Mercer and James Beresford (both 0) were skilfully stumped by the fast hands of England and Mitchem (0) was out lbw attempting to sweep Shafeek Urumancheri (2-17).

Cerne were in huge peril at 24-5 but opener John Stiles proved adept at picking off the bad balls and found assistance with Kellaway (10) before the latter chipped a catch off Urumancheri.

Harry Mitchell and Walton (both 2-22) set about polishing off the tail but not before Stiles (51no) reached a deserved half-century.

And when Walton trapped Dave Portch (0) lbw to wrap up the innings for 99, Stiles carried his bat following an 82-ball stay which included nine fours.

Speaking to Echosport, Beals said: “We lost to two teams comfortably and to turn it around is OK, we got back to winning ways.

“The 113-run stand from Mark and Cube, they must have moved to another strip because from what I played on, I don’t know how they’ve done it.

“Two great blokes who have been around the block. Mark’s come in, I’ve seen him net once and he’s good, let’s say that.”

Elsewhere, Weymouth Seconds remain alongside Premier League leaders Wimborne as the only unbeaten teams in the Dorset League after an eight-wicket win at Lytchett in Division Five.

Dorset Trade Skills man of the match: Mark Gregory