SAGGIES maintained their lead at the top of the CM Energy UK Weymouth & District Evening League with a convincing nine-wicket win over PRT George Inn.

The George made first use of the Redlands wicket, but were soon under pressure as Matt Camp (2-15) and M Oliver (2-11) made short work of the top order.

Christian Brown (18) provided some resistance before Paul Gadsby carved through the remainder of the George’s batsmen with a superb spell of five wickets for six runs.

Ben Doidge (19no) and Oliver (32) wasted little time as they secured the points in the fifth over.

Balti House kept up their challenge by recording an 82-run victory over the Victoria Inn.

Dave Adkins (63no) and Marc Nott (63no) matched each other shot for shot as they steered Balti to a commanding total of 136 from 16 overs.

Harry Oakley (26) was left to lead the Victoria’s run chase as batting partners fell around him, with Balti’s opening attack of Andy Thorne (4-23) and Joe Adkins (2-30) effectively sealing the win.

Kit Rudolph chipped in with two wickets from three deliveries to finish off the Victoria’s challenge.

Moby Dick’s Bears bounced back from their defeat to Balti House with a win against Bud-mouth.

Will McKay’s unbeaten 69 helped the Bears recover from the early losses of Laurie Whyte and Dean Janaway, with Paul Payne (21) giving some support as they ended on 150-6 from 18 overs, Neil Walton (2-22) was the pick of the bowlers.

Sami Rathnayake (1-11) tied up his end in the opening overs of Budmouth’s reply, along with change bowlers Trevett (2-15) and Armfield (2-14) as they found runs hard to come by.

The Bears were able to contain their opponents on 76-6, 74 runs short at the close.

LEAGUE STAGE ONE

PRT George Inn 51-9 (C Brown 18, P Gadsby 5-6, M Oliver 2-11, M Camp 2-15) lost to Saggies 54-1 (M Oliver 32no, J Cameron 1-18) by 9 wickets, Balti House 136-0 (D Adkins 63no, M Nott 63no) beat Victoria Inn 54 (H Oakley 26, A Thorne 23-4, K Rudolph 2-1, J Adkins 2-30), by 82 runs, Royal Portland Arms v Wessex Gasworks – postponed, Moby Dicks Bears 150-6 (W McKay 69no, P Payne 21, N Walton 2-22, R Lawson 2-35) beat Budmouth 76-6 (S Morris 22, J Armfield 2-14, W Trevett 2-15) by 74 runs, Budmouth v Victoria Inn – Victoria Inn won by forfeit.

Points shared as games cancelled due to rain: PRT George Inn v Wessex Gasworks, Moby Dick’s Bears v Royal Portland Arms, Balti House v Saggies.

FIXTURES

Monday, June 16: Saggies v Moby Dick’s Bears (at Redlands 2), Budmouth v Royal Portland Arms (at Budmouth).

Tuesday, June 17: Wessex Gasworks v Victoria Inn (at Redlands 2), PRT George Inn v Balti House (at PRT).