WEYMOUTH 202-6 (18pts) beat MARNHULL 201-6 (8pts) by four wickets

WEYMOUTH revitalised their push for the County Division Two title with a brilliant four-wicket triumph over league leaders Marnhull at Redlands.

The result, coupled with Wimborne & Colehill’s four-wicket loss to Blandford, elevates the Seasiders to second place with two games remaining, while Witchampton and Blandford can still mathematically gain promotion.

Weymouth lie eight points off Marnhull, but five ahead of the Minstermen, with the Witches 13 points behind them and Blandford a further two adrift, meaning the top five sides are separated by just 28 points.

After winning the toss and bowling first, Weymouth put instant pressure on Marnhull, reducing them to 4-2 as Graham Puckett (2-20) and Lloyd Beals (2-34) removed Tim Horn (0) and Danny Harkin (2).

Puckett struck again as Zac Caunt (9) was snaffled by skipper Harry Mitchell, but the visitors, playing without leading league runscorer and captain James Vitali, rebuilt strongly thereafter.

Ashley Young (73) and Edwin Ralph (50) both cracked excellent half-centuries, while a useful 32 from Johnny Broughton helped Marnhull obtain maximum batting points, closing on 201-6.

Weymouth’s reply started shakily as Caunt (3-24) struck to dismiss Dave Blackman (8) and Kieron Womble (3), who chopped onto his own stumps.

From 24-2, batsmen Dom Webb and Simon Browne led the recovery, putting on 107 before Browne edged Caunt behind.

Despite new man Johnny Armfield’s run out, a solid knock from Beals (14) helped Webb (78no) nervelessly steer Weymouth to a vital victory.

Speaking to Echosport, Mitchell praised Webb and Browne for a “textbook” chase.

He said: “GP (Puckett) and Lloyd set it up, they were the stand-out bowlers. It was a very good start by the openers, they didn’t get many but the intensity was there.

“From being in a bit of trouble I thought Browner and Dom’s innings were unbelievable, it was textbook.

“They were the only two that really knew we were going to win this game. It was so nervy on the sideline but they just kept ticking over, nullifying the threat and they were two superb knocks.”

On Saturday’s pivotal match with Wimborne, he added: “It’s all down to us now. Wimborne’s first team can try and win their league so they won’t drop players down.

“If we put out our strongest side I think we can give (the seconds) a really good game of cricket.”

Elsewhere, Weymouth Seconds collected their first win of the season, beating Marnhull Seconds by five wickets.

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