WEYMOUTH stormed to the top of the Clayesmore DCA Sunday Indoor League standings with two contrasting victories.
In their third match of the competition, the Seasiders faced a strong Portland Red Triangle B side who saw Callan Laws and Ollie Whisker retire early on despite the loss of Matt Randell (0), who was bowled by Neil Walton (2-31).
Jamie Barrett (24) continued the steady scoring until Sahil Dalvi (1-20) had the all-rounder caught, while Rich Samuel (16) also contributed.
Laws (30) returned and was bowled by Walton but Whisker (31no) remained unbeaten as Triangle posted 124-4 from 12 overs.
In reply, Walton and Lloyd Beals led Weymouth to 37-0 off two overs until Beals (15) was run out by Randell, sparking a collapse to 71-4.
That tally became 71-5 as the returning Walton (26) was caught off Laws (1-37), leaving Dalvi as the sole batsman at the crease.
The Mumbai all-rounder showed nerveless batting, rattling off several reverse sweeps to calmly guide the Seasiders to an unlikely one-wicket win with a hugely impressive 54 not out.
Weymouth’s second match was more straightforward as they took a 50-run triumph over Hazlebury Bryan.
Walton (77no) and Beals (54no) were the key batsmen, hitting seven sixes between them as the Redlands outfit posted an imposing 184-4 from 12 overs.
Three Hazlebury batsmen retired on 25 but only Jim Bettle (46no) remained not out at the end as tight bowling from Beals (2-17) and Dalvi (1-14) helped Weymouth sew up their fourth successive win.
Earlier, Portland B had cruised to a 48-run success over Blandford.
Triangle’s batsmen set the win up with Whisker (41no) again unbeaten with Barrett (37no) and Laws (28no).
Randell (18) also contributed with a quick-fire innings as the islanders posted 176-3 from 12 overs.
Alex Sullivan (26no) finished unbeaten but Blandford had little answer to Portland’s tight bowling as they fell behind the run rate.
Barrett (0-18) bowled a rare indoor maiden as his side restricted Blandford to 128-3.
Results: Portland B 176-3 beat Blandford 128-3 by 48 runs; Weymouth 129-5 beat Portland B 124-4 by one wicket; Weymouth 184-4 beat Hazlebury Bryan 134-5 by 50 runs.
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