Weymouth beat Witchampton by four wickets

A FAST-BOWLING masterclass from Lloyd Beals and Adam Hoyes set up Weymouth’s second victory of the County Division One season at Witchampton.

Beals (4-8) and Hoyes (4-14) had Witchampton in dire straits at 27-8, and despite a spirited fightback led by young Josh Harrison (40no) their total of 95 was not enough, with Weymouth winning by four wickets.

The Seasiders struggled to take early wickets across their first three matches, with skipper Beals singling himself out for not delivering in this area after the win over Corfe Mullen.

He responded by striking in his second over, trapping Sam Plater (2) lbw.

READ MORE: Weymouth beat Corfe Mullen by four wickets

Beals then introduced Hoyes in the eighth over and was instantly rewarded, with the right-armer seaming one back past Sean Leadbetter to claim a wicket with his first ball.

Hoyes then had Andy Chambers caught at cover and Harrison Bowles out bowled in his second over to put Witchampton into deep trouble at 13-4.

Beals then got on a roll late in his spell, taking three wickets in the space of nine balls to put the hosts in more trouble. Gavin Wayman (4) looked to hit his side out of trouble, but became Hoyes’ fourth victim soon after.

Josh Harrison and Ricky Hempstead were able to get the scoreboard moving again, but a timely wicket from Harry Mitchell (1-18) had Witchampton 43-9 in the 26th over.

Harrison then counter-attacked while number 11 Marc Hayter defended, the two putting on a patient and valuable stand of 52 to frustrate the Seasiders.

Eventually, Hayter (7 off 55 balls) was bowled by Neil Walton (1-27), with Harrison, the only member of his side to reach double figures, unbeaten on 40.

Weymouth openers Jack Sapsworth and Russ Haylock had a tricky period to navigate before tea, with Bowles steaming in and Alex Bennett hitting a consistent line and length. The pair saw out the eight overs before tea was called with the score at 23-0.

Bowles came out firing after the break, bowling Jack Sapsworth (6) in the first over back from tea. In his following over he dismissed Walton (0) lbw, while new bowler Leadbetter removed Mark Gregory (0) from the other end to turn 23-0 into 28-3 in the space of four overs.

Tom England joined Haylock at the crease, with the two forced to knuckle down as Bowles (2-17) and Leadbetter (1-16) gave them very few opportunities to score. Haylock was lucky to survive a tough caught behind chance off Leadbetter.

The pair put on 41 before England (22) was run out by a direct hit from Hempstead at mid-off. Connor Wills (7no) joined Haylock at the crease with 26 runs still required, the duo getting their team within eight of the target before Hempstead bowled Haylock round his legs for 46.

Left-armer Hempstead (2-19) then picked up another, with Mitchell out caught behind for a golden duck to give the match a late spark of life.

Tim Guyett survived the hat-trick ball, then launched a monstrous six over point and flicked a four over square leg to secure victory for his team.

Weymouth skipper Beals was full of praise for his team after the match.

“I’ve been asking for a good start with the ball, I didn’t expect in my wildest dreams we’d have last year's league champs 27-8 in their own backyard,” he told Echosport.

“To let them get a 10th wicket stand of 53 took the shine off the result.

“However, I can’t begrudge a win. Me and Adam first up didn’t bowl a single bad ball in 18 overs. And the pressure it created on the batsmen was telling.

“In the run chase it was all about just getting the job done. Russ was playing on a different pitch to everybody else I think. Seriously confident innings from him. I’m excited to see him kick on now.”

Weymouth Seconds picked up their fourth win on the trot on Saturday, defeating Swanage by seven wickets thanks to 52 from Sami Rathnayake and 3/15 from Evan Green. The Division Four leaders visit Cheselbourne on Saturday, while the firsts host Compton House (both 1pm).

Dorset Trade Skills man of the match: Lloyd Beals