WEYMOUTH 231-7 (7pts) lost to BROADSTONE 235-5 (18pts) by 5 wickets

SKIPPER Kieron Womble was proud of his makeshift squad’s efforts at Delph Woods despite losing ground in the Premier One title race with a loss at Broadstone.

Unable to pick five key men from the previous week, including experienced seam duo Simon Browne and David Trotter, the Seasiders put up a valiant show to record 231 batting first at Delph Woods thanks to 53 from Dean Janaway and 64 from Matt Lawes.

But with 10 balls to spare, the home side knocked off the runs for the loss of just five wickets, but Womble was still pleased with the way his charges made Broadstone work for their win. He told Echosport: “We batted well but at the halfway point we thought we might have been 25 or 30 runs short. We gave it a good go with the ball but unfortunately we just couldn’t take enough wickets up front.

“Graham Puckett bowled very well up top and so did Andy Jones in the middle as well as Laurie Whyte so everyone who came in did quite well.

“Matt Lawes and Dean Jan-away batted particularly well, as did Marco Nott with a fine 18 at the end.”

With the Trotter and Browne unavailable for Womble to call upon in the middle overs, having been so effective all season, the captain admitted it was a blow.

He added: “Losing them in the middle overs was difficult, we brought on some guys who are struggling with injury as well but we gave it a good go with the ball. That sort of experience is always going to be missed.

“But take nothing away from those who did play, it was a top effort from everyone, we made the game as close as we could.”

With the defeat, the Seasiders remain in joint second position in the league standings, but are now a full 20 points adrift of runaway leaders Poole.