Dropped catches cost Weymouth

DROPPED catches cost Weymouth dear as they went down to a six-wicket defeat in their first outing of the season in the Dorset Premier League.

Following the previous week’s wash out, both sides were determined to see some action at the weekend despite the soggy conditions.

Unfortunately for the Seasiders, they lost the toss and were put in on a damp wicket that soon had them reeling with Jim Ryall (8), Hayden White (2) and skipper Dean Janaway (4) all falling in the opening 20 minutes of play.

Having had very little practice time over the past few weeks, except for a couple of net sessions, it was hardly surprising, but to their credit the visitors then dug in as 16-3 became 54-3 thanks to the methodical efforts of Paul Payne (17) and Kieron Womble (11).

However, Mike Holm (4-19) then came into the attack and dismissed both men in quick succession before Tom England (12) then found the hands of Greg Parsons to leave Weymouth staring down the barrel at 77-6.

Once again though, the South Dorset outfit rallied with Matt Lawes (28) and Ben Doidge (19) putting on a seventh-wicket stand of 40 before Holm picked up his third wicket of the afternoon by clean bowling the latter.

Broadstone then mopped up the tailenders for the loss of just 19 runs but 136 was still a tricky run chase in the conditions.

Although the square had dried out a little bit since the start of play, Weymouth were determined to make early in-roads and thanks to a stunning spell by Dave Trotter (1-14 off 10 overs), they soon had the hosts under pressure.

Laurie ‘Cube’ Whyte (1-47) and Dan Hutchens (2-32) also pitched in with wickets but from 57-3 at drinks at the end of the 25th over, Broadstone came up with a partnership of 84 for the fourth wicket to completely change the whole complexion of the game.

Opener Luke Carter (66 not out), who batted through, and Sam Chapman (32) both rode their luck and were dropped in the field but their efforts could only be applauded at the end, which eventually saw their side knock off the runs with 12.4 overs and six wickets to spare.

A disappointed Janaway said: “Due to the conditions they had to bring the boundary in 30 yards at one end as it was under water and to be honest it is not the biggest ground anyway.

“It was a crucial toss to win and unfortunately it didn’t go our way and in the end we were all out for 136.

“The fact we went into the game with just a couple of net sessions behind us due to the recent wet weather was always going to make it difficult on such a sticky wicket and so it proved.

“Having said that though, we came out with the ball and at 57-3 after 25 overs we were right in it.

“Unfortunately, we then dropped Carter twice and Chapman once and that pretty much cost us the game.

“When you haven’t got many runs to defend, you have to take every chance but we failed to do that, which was obviously disappointing.

“Trots’ spell had really given us a chance and had we picked up a couple more early wickets it would have made for an extremely close finish, but with the short boundary they got there easy in the end and the final result certainly doesn’t tell the whole story.”

Janaway went on to add: “It was not the way we wanted to start the season but having said that, it was just nice to get out there and play.

“Trots and Dan both bowled well and Matt and Ben hit crucial runs with the bat.

“The whole spirit in the camp was also good so there are plenty of positives to build on and hopefully we can do that and bounce back with a win against Blandford at home this week.”