WEYMOUTH 225-6 (7pts) lost to CERNE VALLEY 227-5 (18pts) by five wickets

DESPITE a top knock of 83 from Weymouth opener Dean Janaway, the hosts succumbed to a fivewicket defeat to Cerne Valley at Redlands.

A partnership of 110 between Janaway and Simon Browne helped the home side to a score of 225-5.

An early wicket gave the hosts a boost, but 83 from Simon Walsh helped the visitors over the line.

The Seasiders won the toss and elected to bat first on a bright and sunny day.

But, they lost Kieron Womble (7) early as he was clean bowled by Tom Goatly. Ben Doidge (0) followed soon after Dave Portch caught him off Mike Collinge’s bowling.

This brought Weymouth’s captain to the crease to join the flowing Janaway and the pair made hay whilst the sun shone.

Janaway fell 17 short of his century and Browne got out in the next over as Weymouth’s impetus dropped. However, Tom England (45no) and Neil Walton (31) helped revive the innings to give them a competitive score to defend.

In response, Weymouth struck early as Graham Puckett (1-35) trapped Adam Barrett in front for a duck.

Ollie Downey (50) and Walsh put on 111 to give the initiative back to the visitors before Harry Mitchell removed the former.

Mitchell continued to cause trouble as he had former Weymouth player Jim Ryall for seven with some good work from Womble behind the wickets. A quicker delivery then surprised George Chubb (4) to leave the game finely balanced at 155-5.

However, an unbeaten partnership of 72 from Jamie Barrett (32) and Pearce Mercer (29) saw the visitors home with 16 balls to spare.

After the game, Weymouth captain Browne said: “I didn’t think out score was going to be quite enough because they bat deep.

“We probably needed another 20 runs, but this was a proper game of cricket.

“These are the types of games I want to be involved in.”