CORFE MULLEN 158 (10pts) v WEYMOUTH 22-0 (12pts) – match abandoned

WEYMOUTH saw a golden opportunity to beat County Division Two leaders Corfe Mullen spoiled by the rain.

Lloyd Beals’ men had bowled out Corfe for just 158 on their own track and made a solid, if unspectacular, start to their reply at 22-0 from 10.3 overs.

At that point, the rain intensified and play was halted for good, leaving Weymouth to ponder what might have been.

Beals won the toss and chose to field first, with Adam Hoyes making crucial early inroads.

The swing bowler removed openers Richard Witherington (14) and Corfe’s star all-rounder Sam Stroud (16), who nicked behind to wicketkeeper Tom England.

READ MORE: Weymouth beat Shaftesbury by 68 runs

Dan Flooks (66) was the only Corfe batter to trouble the Seasiders and he received good support from Ben Bolt (27).

However, leg-spinner Fletcher Tarry bowled superbly as his 3-31 including four maidens in nine overs, spelled the end for Flooks, Michael Jordan (8) and Jacob Clarke (5).

Hoyes (4-48) returned to take two more wickets and ex-Dorset all-rounder Ben Lawes (3-0) remarkably cleaned up the tail without conceding a run in 14 balls.

Weymouth were heavy favourites for victory as Beals (16no) and England (5no) set up the innings before the rain.

The outcome, which sees Weymouth gain two points on Corfe, means the Seasiders stay third. They are now 30 points off Corfe, but only seven behind second-placed Shaftesbury.

Elsewhere, unbeaten Division Five leaders Weymouth Seconds were one of the few teams to beat the rain, bowling Wareham out for 70 before earning a three-wicket win as the bowlers dominated.