SWANAGE 216 (19pts) beat WEYMOUTH 156 (7pts) by 60 runs

AFTER finally breaking their duck at Martinstown a week previously, relegated Weymouth fell flat batting second to succumb to their 15th loss of the campaign.

Having won the toss and elected to put Saturday’s opponents Swanage in, the Seasiders had their counterparts struggling on 21-3.

But 72 at the top of the order from opener Dan Salmon, which included 10 boundaries, helped push the score on for the visitors before he fell to the bowling of paceman Alex Mortimore.

Dorset prospect Jem Warner also passed 50 batting at number six until he was eventually caught by Weymouth captain Kieron Womble off the bowling of the previous week’s stand-in skipper Will McKay.

Wickets tumbled throughout the Swans’ innings with no other visiting batsman reaching 20.

Youngster Harry Mitchell recorded 3-63 for the home side and new-ball partner David Trotter returned an economical 1-15 from his 10 overs.

Swanage were eventually bowled out for 216 from 49 overs.

In reply, Weymouth also found themselves in trouble initially with the score at 5-2 after McKay and Dom Webb had both fallen cheaply.

However, after Joe James had also departed, Seasiders duo Womble and Jim Ryall gave their side a fighting chance as they formed a steady partnership of 70 to tick the scoreboard over to 122-3.

But disaster then struck as Womble looked for a quick single and, as he turned back to make his ground, a direct hit saw him dismissed, leaving the skipper to trudge off for a resolute 36 from 85 deliveries.

That proved to be the pivotal moment in the encounter. Despite Ryall’s contribution of 56, the Seasiders' lower order failed to fire and they were skittled out for just 156.

Swanage left-armer Rob Hatchard was the pick of their attack with figures of 3-26 from his 10 overs. Opening bowler Mike Hernandez picked up 2-17.

Commenting after the game, Seasiders chairman John Ryan, who claimed 1-38 from eight overs earlier in the day, told Echosport: “The key was the run out really.

“We had a feeling we were going to get there and were up with the run-rate. It was just the key factor of Kieron Womble getting run out.

“But, overall, I thought we bowled and fielded quite well.”