WEYMOUTH 179-7 (19pts) beat KINGSTON LACY 177-8 (7pts) by three wickets

WEYMOUTH earned their third successive victory with a thrilling chase to beat Kingston Lacy by three wickets in their County Division Two tussle at Redlands.

After winning the toss and bowling, Weymouth were immediately in the ascendancy as Neil Walton (2-20), who profited from two excellent catches from wicketkeeper Pete Sapsworth on the day, and Lloyd Beals (1-32) dismissed Dale Coughlan (0) and dangerman John Burns (1) respectively to put Lacy in trouble at 6-2.

Teenage left-armer Jack Taylor (2-19) upped the visitors’ misery when superbly bowling Matt Holton (5) and Bob Dykes (0) in consecutive balls during his opening over as Lacy were reduced to 40-4.

However, diligent batting from Peter Sparks (40), a powerful unbeaten 51 from Max Plummer and a streaky 17 not out from Paul Cox Jnr took the 10-man visitors to 177-8 from their 45 overs, which included 51 extras, after Shafeek Urumancheri’s 3-32.

In reply, Weymouth unusually found themselves in early strife at 34-4 as John Wilson (7), Walton (0), Dean Janaway (3) plus Andy Jeffreys (3) all fell cheaply.

Patient batting from Paul Collins (34) and Seasiders’ skipper Harry Mitchell took Weymouth to 66-4 until Collins cut an Alex White (1-44) delivery to point.

Beals then gave Weymouth a much-needed boost with 29 from 27 balls, including three fours and a six, before Urumancheri (30) supported Mitchell (56no), who helped guide his side home with Jack Sapsworth (4no) hitting the winning runs.

Speaking to Echosport after the game, Mitchell was quick to highlight the individual performances amongst his charges.

He said: “I think that’s the first time this year where we’ve been disappointing in the field and with the ball at times.

“Neil started off with three maidens in four overs, took an early wicket with Lloyd and we put loads of early pressure on.

“Jack bowled exceptionally for a young lad, two in two balls and he set the game up for us. It was a shame we didn’t capitialise on that but it was a really good batting track – 170 was below par.”

He added: “Paul at the top played a really good knock with wickets falling around him then Shafeek – it’s the best I’ve seen him bat. With me being with him he calmed me down. Lloyd as well, it’s the best he’s batted all year.”

On his own innings, Mitchell said: “I just played the anchor role – Lloyd and Shaf played the exceptional knocks. I didn’t want to give my wicket away, but they stepped up and were brilliant.”

Meanwhile, Weymouth Seconds (-40) scratched against Royal Challengers Sports (20)