CERNE VALLEY 258-5 (20pts) beat WEYMOUTH 195 (6pts) by 63 runs

WEYMOUTH failed to capitalise on a slow start by Cerne Valley as they lost by 63 runs at Simsay Oval.

The hosts found themselves on a total of 79 runs from 23 overs, giving the Seasiders an opening to take the game by the scruff of the neck, only for a combination of Cerne’s big hitters and Weymouth’s inconsistent batting to allow Cerne to stay in control.

Despite valiant batting efforts from Kieron Womble (42), Simon Browne (32), Dean Janaway (29) and Paul Collins (21), it wasn’t enough to outdo the hosts’ big scores, with Walsh’s 74 and Wardlew’s 72 being the key difference between the teams.

Browne and Neil Walton each picked up two wickets against Cerne, but it wasn’t enough in a tricky opening-weekend encounter.

Speaking after the game, Weymouth captain Browne was keen to keep the game in perspective.

He said: “There were quite a few positive signs out there.

“Our two opening bowlers Graham Puckett and Neil Walton bowled really well, and at 23 overs they’d only scored 79 runs, so although we hadn’t taken any wickets we had them quite well tied down at that point.

“But they had a few men waiting to come in, and with a combination of a few bad bowls they got away with it a bit in the end, which was a shame.

“They’ve got some guys who can hit the ball a long way which really accelerated their score.

“It was quite a big score but we started really well.

“At half-way we were on 114 and beating them, but it was just a case of us losing wickets on regular occurrences.

“Unfortunately we came up short but there were a few positives there for sure. The top six all got into the 20s so it’s not the end of the world, although we’re obviously disappointed to lose.

They took their catches and bowled quite well and that was the story of the day.

“I think it was a fair result.

“They’re a decent side who bat quite deep. They’ve got three or four good batsmen and a few decent bowlers so we knew it was going to be a relatively tough ask.

“A couple of us didn’t bowl as well as we could have done.

“I think there was a bit of rustiness but hopefully that will get better as the season goes on.”

Weymouth: Browne, England, Mitchell, Puckett, Womble, Blackman, Walton, Janaway, Webb, Collins, James