STALBRIDGE 231-9 (9pts) lost to WEYMOUTH 232-8 (19pts) by two wickets

SIMON Browne brought the curtain down on his season by helping lead Weymouth to a two-wicket success at The Park.

The experienced all-rounder, who will now return to his football commitments, picked up four wickets and then followed it up with a crucial knock of 24 at a pivotal moment in the game.

Chasing 231, the visitors looked in trouble on 132-6 but Browne provided a cool head alongside the impressive Tom England (66) to shift the momentum back in his side’s favour, before Laurie ‘Cube’ Whyte (19 not out) and Dave Trotter (9 not out) completed the task.

Weymouth skipper Dean Janaway said: “It was blowing a gale all afternoon and on arrival we thought it might be a bit damp too, so on winning the toss we stuck them in.

“Unfortunately though, we allowed them to get off to a bit of a flier and it wasn’t until they had put 18 on the board that we really began to wake up and start to bowl.

“Simon bowled superbly and it was his 4-39 that really pulled it back for us but Tim Guyett (2-55) was excellent too, particularly in the last 10 overs during a powerplay when Andy Dike (72) was looking to whack it all over the place.

“He also took one hell of a one-handed catch. It was an absolute screamer and he really is a great fielder.

“In the end they scored 231 and with a short boundary we were happy with that and confident of chasing it down.

“Steve Forshaw (3-27) bowled tremendously for them and cleaned up Hayden White (1) before Paul Payne (32) and I (43) put on a few to get us going.

“I then went out to a leg before decision before Kieron Womble (0) followed first ball but then Tom came in and produced probably the best innings I have ever seen from him at this standard of cricket.

“He punished the bad balls and batted very sensibly at a time when we were really under pressure.

“We then lost a couple more wickets before Simon came on and kept us going, and then when he went to another leg before decision, Cube and Trotts showed all their experience to guide us home.

“In some ways we did make it harder for ourselves but we got there in the end and once again everyone contributed.

“I was particularly chuffed for Simon in what was his last game of the season. His all-round performance was tremendous.”

Rob Burfitt (38) and skipper Chris Hedges (38) ensured Stalbridge began their innings in solid fashion but 71-1 soon became 114-6, as the visiting bowlers finally began to make in-roads with Browne at the forefront.

At that stage it appeared the hosts were floundering but Dike then came in at eight and began to dig his side out of the mire with some lusty blows.

His partnership of 67 alongside Ben Fryer (13) was an excellent effort as his side eventually posted 231 with the help of a last-wicket stand of 22 between Ed Clements (16) and Rob Knight (12).

Despite that late rally, Weymouth still fancied their chances and after White fell for a duck, Janaway and Payne began to lead the charge.

The pair put on 59 before Janaway exited, quickly followed by Womble, as Forshaw looked to turn up the heat.

Payne and Jim Ryall (11) were the next to fall leaving Weymouth on 96-5 but Stalbridge had not accounted for England’s mettle.

The patient middle-order batsman began to methodically manoeuvre the ball around the ground and with the help of Matt Lawes (13) and Browne (24) put the onus back on to the bowlers.

At first, it appeared the Stalbridge attack had answered the call when they removed both England and Browne but Trotter and Whyte had other ideas.

With 26 still required for victory, the latter struck two huge sixes to ease the pressure and when Trotter was dropped moments later, it was clear it was going to be the visitors’ day as they reached their target with just eight balls to spare.