Weymouth are safe (From Dorset Echo)

Weymouth are safe

8:51am Monday 22nd August 2011 in Cricket By Ky Capel

PARLEY 257-8 (19pts) beat WEYMOUTH 160-8 (7pts) by 97 runs DEAN Janaway expressed his pride after watching Weymouth secure their Dorset Premier League status at title-chasing Parley.

The Seasiders may have returned home on the back of a 97-run defeat, but their ability to see out their allotted overs – reduced to 43 following earlier rain – meant they collected the necessary points needed to clinch survival.

And Janaway, standing in as skipper in the absence of both Paul Payne and Tom England, was delighted with what he saw.

He said: “I was so proud of the performance, especially in the field.

“Parley got off to a flyer but everyone was 100 per cent committed in the field and it was a really good effort.

“We had 11 guys who were really keen to play for the club and that’s what we want.

“On paper it looks like a heavy loss but we got what we needed out of the game.”

The reigning champions won the toss and elected to bat in a match reduced to 43 overs aside after rain had delayed the start by almost an hour.

Openers Sam Collins (31) and Mitch Baker (52) got the high-fliers off to a bright start, building up an 87-run partnership, until the latter was caught by Will McKay off the bowling of Ben Doidge (3-33).

Tom Jacques was only able to add 10 runs before he too fell victim to Doidge, but in came Raj Naik (76) and the experienced batsman was in fine fettle.

Michael Pearce (3-64) eventually claimed the wicket of Naik and later helped himself to two more scalps.

However, the hosts still managed to post an imposing 257-8 from their innings.

Despite facing an almighty task, the visitors made a positive opening in reply.

And although Jim Ryall (14) returned to the pavilion earlier than hoped, Kieron Womble (44) and captain-for-the-day Janaway (50) led the charge.

Once those two had departed though, Weymouth’s hopes of a remarkable victory also faded.

But with Andy Jarvis (19 not out) providing stubborn resistance in the middle order, while Doidge, Sean Fitzgerald and Pearce all went for ducks, the Seasiders hung on for crucial batting points.

Janaway added: “Their score of 257 was going to be a hell of a chase against a side like them but Kieron got us off to a good start.

“They then brought their spinners on and it was difficult from there.

“Overall we took some great catches and the boys gave it everything they had, which is all you can ask for. We showed a bit of backbone as we knew we had to fight for every point and we got what we needed to stay up.

“We’ve got Stalbridge at home next Saturday and it’s a game we can win.

“We have had lots of problems off the field this year that need sorting but we need to get through the season first.

“You can’t put up with unavailabilities all season long, you need commitment and we have struggled with that throughout the club.

“We do need to get things back on track and we will.”