WEYMOUTH 50 (5pts) lost to BERE REGIS 187 (19pts) by 137 runs

WEYMOUTH were bowled out for just 50 as leaders Bere Regis ran riot with the ball in a one-sided County Division One encounter at Redlands.

After being reduced to 14-4 in their reply by accurate opening spells from Richard Payne (2-20) and Matt King (2-4), the Seasiders were never in the hunt and duly crumbled as Dean Rogerson (5-11) cleaned up the hosts’ tail.

Earlier, a 137-run trouncing had not looked like coming into the equation as Weymouth’s Neil Walton (3-34) and Graham Puckett (1-15) conceded just 15 runs from the opening 12 overs despite being asked to bowl first by visiting captain Rich Cole.

When Nick White (0) edged Puckett to wicketkeeper Kieron Womble, it was left to the impressive Robert Murphy (60) and King (41) to accumulate runs on a mischievous surface.

But four quick wickets from off-spinners Harry Mitchell (2-50) and John Ryan (1-15), including a run out, hauled the Seasiders back into contention as the visitors were checked at 134-6.

However, a late cameo from Santosh Nair (18), backed by 15 from Jacob Lambert, saw Bere post 187 from their 45 overs.

In reply, King quickly removed Tom England (1) and Paul Collins (2), with Payne accounting for Womble (7) and namesake Paul Payne (1) at the other end.

A brief spell of resistance by skipper Simon Browne (10) was ended by Rogerson, who then ripped through the lower order after a spirited knock from Mitchell (13) to end the game.

After the match Browne told Echosport his side’s batting performance was “abysmal”.

He said: “It was abysmal to be brutally honest. The pitch wasn’t brilliant but it meant you needed to apply yourself and stick around because that’s what they did to get to 187.

“We made it easy for the opposition by giving our wickets away. We don’t want too many more days like today because that does demoralise teams, but we’re better than that.”

Browne reserved praise for Bere Regis, who continue their remarkable 100 per cent record this season, extending their lead over second-placed Christchurch to 41 points.

“They’re a good side, they applied themselves with the bat after a pretty sticky start for them. They bowled well, put the ball in good areas. They were the better side and thoroughly deserved to win,” he said.

n In County Division Six, each side’s second teams locked horns with league leaders Bere Regis coming out on top by six wickets.

Weymouth made 140-8 from their 40 overs, before Bere knocked the runs off to strengthen their position at the top of the table.

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