BERE REGIS 145-2 (20pts) beat WEYMOUTH 143 (3pts) by eight wickets

SIMON Browne felt Bere Regis were the better side as Weymouth were defeated by eight wickets to leave the Seasiders looking down rather than up the County Division One table.

Despite a defiant 67 from Paul Payne, Weymouth were skittled out for 143 with only one other batsman hitting double figures.

Chasing a revised target of 139, the away side cruised home, even though Browne felt it was one of the Weymouth bowlers’ best displays of the season.

Speaking after the game, Browne told Echosport: “We lost by eight wickets and it looks like a thrashing.

“But I don’t think that’s a fair reflection on the game, because we bowled some of the best stuff we have all season.

“The simple matter is we didn’t score enough runs.

“Their opening bowlers kept it very tight and we struggled to get going.

“They were the better team and it’s frustrating.

“Paul (Payne) batted superbly, but it’s been the story of the season.

“None of us have been able to put on a 150-run partnership to give us a really strong chance.

“We had a really strong batting line-up but we couldn’t score the runs.”

Bere Regis won the toss and chose to field – a surprise to Weymouth captain Browne who would have batted anyway.

It didn’t start well for the hosts though as Neil Walton, replacing Kieron Womble at the top of the order, made just four as Crispin Brown trapped him leg before.

Fellow opener Dean Janaway was soon to follow as wicketkeeper Brian Keegan caught him for 15 off Brown.

Wickets continued to tumble as the ever-threatening Brown took his third scalp, this time Browne (1) the victim.

At the other end, Paul Payne was putting together a fine innings but he struggled to find a partner as Robertson came into the visiting attack to take three quick wickets.

Ben Dodge (1), Dave Pearce (6) and Harry Mitchell (0) all fell to the bowler as Weymouth were reduced to 76-6.

Dominic Webb (15) stuck around for the hosts to give Payne some support but wickets kept falling as the hosts were bowled out for 139, with Robertson and Brown sharing the bowling accolades, both taking 3-22.

The visitors started fast as they set about chasing the under-par revised score of 139 after four overs were lost to rain.

Only Graham Puckett and Mitchell had some control with the ball as Matt King made hay opening for the visitors, striking 58 not out.

King along with Cole put 44 on for the first wicket before Browne removed the latter for 13.

The young spinner Mitchell took one wicket, Janaway taking a sharp catch behind the stumps to remove Rogerson (4), but deserved more.

After those two quick wickets, Weymouth’s best chance of a breakthrough seemed to be a run-out as King and Tim Gooodhew batted well.

As the partnership grew so did the run rate as the boundaries started to flow. The runs required continued to dwindle and it was left to Goodhew to hit a huge six over cow corner for the victory.

Up next for Weymouth is a clash with Broadstone and Browne knows wins are a must to get his side’s season back on track.

He added: “We’re looking down the table rather than up and we hope we can pick up a result.”