CRICKET: Seasiders surge into second spot

WEYMOUTH’S remarkable Premier One campaign continues to thrive after they defeated fellow high-flyers Broadstone to surge into the division’s top two.

Bowling first, the Seasiders endured an opening stand of 73 from the home side at Delph Woods before eventually making inroads and dismissing Broadstone for 207 in 42.2 overs.

Seamer David Trotter was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4-54 from his 10-over stint.

In reply, Weymouth were set a reduced target of 150 to win off 36 overs due to heavy showers later in the afternoon that took time out of the game.

But the curtailed innings did not prove a distraction for Kieron Womble’s troops and they knocked off the runs convincingly to seal a 19-point haul.

On reflection, the Weymouth captain believes the results his side have secured over the last two weeks have laid down a marker to the rest of the Premier One sides, showing they are not just a surprise package, but real title contenders.

He told Echosport: “To beat Parley, who are top of the league, and Broadstone, who were second, definitely shows we are challenging.

“I think there is now a belief that we can go and beat these top teams.”

Commenting on his side’s victory, he added: “They got off to a good start but we pegged them back and stuck at it.

“We kept taking wickets and eventually had them out in 42 overs.

“David Trotter bowled superbly to start the comeback, and Jim Ryall and Matt Lawes put on a superb partnership to see us on our way with the bat.”

Praised by club chairman John Ryan last week for the Seasiders’ resurgence under his captaincy, Womble was also keen to reiterate that there are a vast amount of leaders in his squad.

“I think people know it is quite a tough job,” he added.

“There are a lot of captains in the squad who have done it and they know how hard it is.

“People are really trying to pull their weight for the club to make it successful.

“It’s great to see, and the club is a really good place to be at the moment.”