WEYMOUTH v SWANAGE

WEYMOUTH will be hoping that all-rounder Simon Browne’s revitalised form on the cricket field will continue when they entertain Swanage tomorrow (1pm).

The former Terras’ defender has been out of football management since parting as manager of Hamworthy United back in November, and admits that although he wants to return to a new club as soon as he can, his cricket has been a welcome distraction.

“It’s nice to be able to play a full season,” Browne told Echosport.

“I was actually trying to work out with some of the guys when I last played a full season of cricket and I was probably about 16.

“You are talking about 25 years because football has been my main priority, normally pre-season starts in the first week in July and the cricket club sees the back of me then.”

With a full cricket schedule planned, Browne has contributed heavily with both bat and ball over the course of the Seasiders’ remarkable season.

Clinical bowling figures of 6-39 were instrumental in defeating league leaders Parley at Redlands last month and an unbeaten 54 against Wimborne & Colehill have been particular highlights of the all-rounder’s impressive form.

But Browne remains focused on the team performance and believes that strong starts in both innings is key to the club’s current success.

He added: “I know Kieron (Womble) said at the start of the season that we just wanted to consolidate our place and we have had to re-adjust our targets.

“If we can get off to a good start with bat and ball it’s very important. It makes life that much easier and goes through the rest of the team.

“At Swanage last time we had them about three wickets down for next to nothing on the board with some of their best batsmen back in the hutch, and it gives you something to build on.

“We obviously have a bit of confidence as well from the last two games and it’s a decent time to be involved with the cricket club, we don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves because we have some big games com- ing but you never know where we could end up.”

Another win for Weymouth at Redlands this weekend could see them reach the summit of the Premier One standings.

As for getting back into football management, Browne said: “I have committed myself to the cricket club for the whole season, which is great, but I could get the phone call at any time to get involved with a football club.

“I am looking to get back in but it has to be the right club and the right opportunity.

“At the moment, I have had a couple of phone calls over the summer and nothing concrete has come of them.

“I am concentrating on my cricket, if that changes with what happens in football then so be it.”

Weymouth: Ryall, Lawes, Janaway, McKay, Payne, Womble, Walton, Browne, Hutchens, Trotter, Jones.