ALL-ROUNDER Matt Lawes has admitted his frustration in not being able to bowl to his full potential, due to a side strain in recent weeks.

The former Seasiders’ skipper, who started the season in blistering form with the ball, has only been able to send down deliveries off a few steps over the last few games, and is hoping that he could be fit enough to bowl against Parley at Redlands tomorrow (1pm).

“I’ve strained my side so it’s just hard at the point of impact when bowling,” he told Echo-sport. “I have enjoyed playing cricket this season and it’s made it really annoying because I just want to run in and bowl again.

“I was bowling well when I picked up the injury and played a few games with it, but that was just making it worse and worse so I thought I would have a few weeks off to rest it, and it hasn’t recovered as I would have hoped.”

And although he scored a creditable 64 with the bat last time out, Lawes is still determined to be back among the wickets.

He added: “I keep doing a warm-up every week to see how it feels and I’ll have one more crack at it in one game. If it doesn’t work then I know that’s it done for the season, I’d like it to be against Parley really.”

Lawes chanced his arm with the ball last week as part of a makeshift squad against Broadstone, and was wicketless, going at seven runs per over.

“The overs I have bowled have literally been off three steps, I told Kierion (Womble) I’d bowl if need be, but I’m trying to avoid it.”

Weymouth currently sit 20 points off the pace from runaway leaders Poole, level on points with Parley.

On the side’s impressive performance in the league this term, Lawes added: “It’s been a really good season to be part of, when you are winning games of cricket it is always enjoyable.”

Elsewhere there are two derbies taking place in County Division Two. Beaminster host Portland Red Triangle at the Memorial Playing Field (1.30pm) and Dorchester Seconds host Weymouth Seconds (1.30pm).