SAGGIES opened up a two-point lead in the Weymouth & District Evening League following a massive 96-run win against Wessex Gasworks.

Simon Browne (32no) carried his bat, his brother Alex finished unbeaten on 20 and Brendon King made 36 as Saggies were held to 118-4 from 16 overs.

Gasworks’ John Willshire (2-22) had caused problems for Saggies by removing the dangerous pair of Ben Doidge and Matt Camp for single figures, with Mark Gibson picking up two wickets in a tidy spell.

However, all their good work was undone as Paul Gadsby (3-11) and Camp (3-9) tore through Gasworks, leaving Harry Mitchell to clean up the tail as they slumped to 22 all out in 6.3 overs.

Moby Dick’s continued their winning run as they moved into joint second place, easing past PRT George Inn at Reforne.

Batting first, the Bears lost inspirational skipper Laurie Whyte on 14, caught and bowled by Matt Randell (1-37).

Simon Mitchem proved an adequate replacement with a fine knock of 76 not out as he single-handedly took on the PRT bowlers.

Jon Cameron made inroads, removing Mitchem’s batting partners and took 4-24 as the Bears ended on 129-6.

Matt Randell (40) led the run chase, along with Gary Randell (11) and G King (22), but the introduction of Sapsworth (3-28) turned the game.

A late rally from Chris Theakstone (25no) saw PRT fall 17 runs short at the close.

The Royal Portland Arms notched up their first win of the season in a close encounter with Victoria Inn.

James Dunham’s 34 provided the foundation of the Victoria’s innings as the Arms restricted them to 79-5 from 16 overs. Aarron Riley picked up 3-25.

The Arms were on the back foot from the start of their reply as Dunham (3-9) broke through the top order.

But Jan Davey responded with an unbeaten 48 and was ably assisted by veteran Tony Quayle (15).

In a thrilling final over, Davey hit the winning runs with a ball to spare to deny the Victoria Inn the points.

Results (League Stage One) Saggies 118-4 (B King 36, S Browne 32no, A Browne 20no, M Gibson 2-16, J Willshire 2-22) beat Wessex Gasworks 22 (A Jones 8, M Camp 3-9, P Gadsby 3-11, H Mitchell 2-2) by 96 runs, Moby Dick’s Bears 129-6 (S Mitchem 76no, J Cameon 4-24) beat PRT George Inn 112-5 (M Randell 40, C Theakstone 25no, G King 22, J Sapsworth 3-28) by 17 runs, Victoria Inn 79-5 (J Dunham 34, A Riley 3-25) lost to Royal Portland Arms 82-5 (J Davey 48no, J Dunham 3-9) by 5 wickets, Balti House v Budmouth – match postponed.