POOLE TOWN II 192 (10pts) lost to WEYMOUTH 196-7 (19pts) by four runs

 

WEYMOUTH emerged victorious from their second successive final-over thriller to secure a tense four-run win over Poole Park Seconds at Poole Park in County Division One.

 

The Seasiders hit a competitive 196-7 from 45 overs, with Kieron Womble (70) the top scorer of the day on a slow, mossy pitch.

 

Just as with last week’s showdown against Wimborne & Colehill Seconds, Weymouth struggled to make inroads into the opposition’s top order as Poole moved to 131-2 in search of 197.

 

But terrific spells from veteran off-spinners John Ryan (3-38) and Cube Whyte (2-26) dragged the visitors back into the game.

 

Weymouth then sealed a memorable win by four runs with four balls remaining as wicketkeeper Dave Blackman took a superb diving catch behind at the death off Neil Walton (2-38).

 

Earlier, Womble provided the crucial knock of Weymouth’s innings, with Walton (19), Dean Janaway (17) and Jack Sapsworth (16no) boosting the total on a tricky surface.

 

Poole’s reply was fired by the streaky Karthik Subramanian (33), who was dismissed by Sapsworth (1-29) before Nick Williams (34) accumulated runs steadily, aided by Jacques van der Westhuyzen (39).

 

Ryan and Whyte then took a flurry of wickets, together with two run-outs, as Weymouth set up a nervy final over triumph, their second from three last-over deciders this campaign.

 

Speaking to Echosport after the game, skipper Simon Browne was delighted with his side’s second consecutive victory.

 

He said: “It was another really good win. It shows the value of getting those runs on the board. I think at two wickets down they were probably in the box seat a bit like last week against Wimborne.

 

“But when you’ve got 200 runs to defend it’s difficult (for them) if you get a couple of wickets and get to the lower order batsmen. We kept plugging away and all-in-all it was another really good day.”

 

Browne was again heartened by his team’s batting, with seven players reaching double figures.

 

“Kieron batted really well for his 70 but when you’ve got people who are scoring 15s, 18s and 20s there’s another 120 runs. It’s important that everybody does their bit.

 

“It was another good all-round performance, probably a bit too close to the wire but those games are great when you win them,” he added.