2nd September 2010

WEYMOUTH CRICKET: Thirds snatch title

by Stuart Broom

IN A season of highs and lows for our local cricket sides, two teams celebrated after the final games last weekend.

Weymouth 3rds snatched the Division Five title by claiming a full 20 points by beating Lychett Manor by nine wickets whilst title rivals Winton Sports 2nds could only muster 17 points in defeating Broadstone 4ths by 121 runs.

The extra three points allowed Joe Trevett’s side to overtake their Bournemouth rivals to win the league by 0.14 of a point.

Congratulations also go to Dorchester 3rds who achieved promotion for the third year running, although they had to settle for the runners-up spot in Division Six despite amassing a huge 321-7 against bottom side Ferndown Wayfarers 4ths.

Mat King was unlucky to finish unbeaten one short of his century on 99, with Jae Miller (70) and Tom Cottrell (48) both making good contributions.

Ferndown had no reply to the plethora of bowlers available to Dorchester and they were bowled out for 117 with skipper Pete Tucker fittingly taking the last wicket to ensure promotion.

In the Premier League, Dorchester confirmed third spot with a three wicket win at bottom side Marnhull.

Dan Belt was in devastating form taking 6-26 in his ten overs after Marnhull had shown strong resistance initially reaching 100-1 with good knocks from Binnington (37), Foster (41) and Rushton (37) and, although there was late defiance from Stuart Sweatman with 42 not out, they capitulated under Belt’s superb spell to 198 all out.

Dave Maslan with 67 was the main contributor as Dorchester ground their way to victory with support from Steve Gerety (21), Jon Legg (23) and Andy Mead (28).

Weymouth just avoided a relegation play-off after going down to champions Parley at Redlands. The Seasiders could only amass 97 all out as their batting failed once more after restricting their visitors to a commendable total of 179 all out.

Andrew Falloon and Sean Fitzgerald bagged three wickets each, and Simon MItchem and Matt Lawes a brace apiece as Weymouth gave themselves a great chance of a win that would ensure safety, but another poor batting display with only Ben Lawes (21) getting going.

Beaminster were duly relegated although they did avoid the wooden spoon by beating Ferndown Wayfarers 2nds by seven wickets. They dismissed their hosts for just 75 all out with Adam Herring (4-17) the main destroyer before Beaminster knocked of the runs with Chris Park (20) and Simon Jones (26 not out) seeing them to a comfortable victory.

Weymouth 2nds were duly hammered by champions Suttoners who have only dropped seven points all season. The Seasiders managed 168 all out with Kieron Womble (54) and James Almond (41) their main scorers, but Dorset county player Darren Cowley once again destroyed them with 87 not out in a nine wicket defeat.

Dorchester 2nds went down by nine wickets to Swanage but comfortably maintain their Division Two status.

Bridport already relegated for the fourth successive season went down fighting in Division Three by beating Cattistock by 17 runs at The Brewery Field. Their victims finished comfortably in midtable as did Martinstown who were comfortably beaten by Cerne Valley.

It was back to normal for relegated Beaminster 2nds who managed to win for the first time last week. They departed from Division Four on the back of a six wicket defeat at home to Pimperne.

Abbotsbury beat local rivals Bridport 2nds in a game that saw both sides fight another season in Division Six.

Rod Gay with 42 top scored in Bridport’s total of 113 all out supported by supported by Toby Hall (21) and Pete Bustin (20). Chas Duerdoth with 4-31 and Gary Pittman (3-16) were the most successful home bowlers.

Pete Moth (35) was the backbone of the Abbotsbury reply with James Pretty (25 not out) and Duerdoth with three fours and a six ensuring a five wicket win.

Symene survived a last day scare in the Sunday League Division Four. They needed at least five points to be absolutely sure of staying up at Portland Red Triangle.

The hosts hit 213-9 to give them four of the points but at 77-7 in reply they were in danger of not securing any batting points. Fortunately Luke King with 55 and Bradley Damon (27) came to their rescue with an eighth wicket stand of 62 to secure their status.

Abbotsbury finished off their season with an encouraging victory in the last league game.

After Bridport won the toss and chose to bat, the Abbotsbury bowlers made good use of a pitch still rather slow after the deluges earlier in the week to work through the visiting batsmen.

Robin Gay included several good boundaries in his 42 and T. Hall (21) and P. Bustin (20) enabled the visitors to reach 113. Chas Duerdoth returned excellent figures of 4 for 31, Gary Pittman weighed in with 3 for 16, James Pretty with 2 for 19 and Simon Pengelly took his wicket without conceding any runs at all.

Pete Moth (35) and Simon Pengelly (13) opened carefully for the Swans before Pengelly and Gary Pittman fell in quick succession, Ashley Parker picking up two wickets for 22 and Robin Gay 2 for 30.

Nick Kneebone (12) and James Pretty (25 not out) helped steady the home side, allowing Chas Duerdoth to smite 3 fours and a mighty six to finish off the game with a flourish. Both sides look forward to meeting each other again next season.

A poor first innings in a must win game for Uplyme and Lyme Regis 1st XI saw them condemned to relegation as they secured only half the necessary points needed to avoid the drop.

It capped a poor year for the club, which also saw the 2nds relegated straight back down to the D Division 2nd XI.

Uplyme 1sts had to secure 10 points from the game with Ottery St Mary to ensure survival in the D Division 1st XI but put on a dreadful batting display.

Highlights included John Whetlor (23) and Maltby (27), saw the home team finish 117 all out.

Economical bowling by Maltby (3 for 14), Neil Price (2 for 23) and Steve Howe (11-3-27-1) saw the visitors contained, but a partnership of 68 between Townsend (58 not out) and Woodman (19) saw Ottery claim a two-wicket victory after 36.4 overs.

The 2nd XI finished in much the same way as their season progressed as they succumbed to Ottery St Mary 2nds by six wickets. This despite stand out performances once again from Dave Norman (59) and Olli Borgeat (46).

WEYMOUTH CRICKET: Thirds snatch title

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