WEYMOUTH 244-5 (20pts) beat COMPTON HOUSE 184 (7pts) by 60 runs

WEYMOUTH claimed a third straight victory in County Division One with a 60-run triumph over Compton House at Redlands.

The Seasiders backed up wins over Swanage and Witchampton by beating winless House, although this was far off a polished all-round display.

Batting-wise, Weymouth were magnificent as the hosts took the attack to their opponents from ball one.

While Dorset Over-50s all-rounder Mike Harper proved exceptionally economical, conceding seven runs from his eight overs, Weymouth feasted on the rest of the visiting bowling unit.

John Wilson (65) carted nine fours and a six while Tom England added 24 as Weymouth’s openers piled on a century stand.

However, three wickets from Dan Biddiscombe (3-35) erased Weymouth’s top order as Dom Webb (13) followed Wilson and England back to the pavilion.

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Weymouth’s response was devastating and ultimately proved to be match-winning.

New men Lloyd Beals and Dean Janaway added 87 for the fourth wicket – 63 coming in rapid time from Beals, who scored his first Weymouth 50.

Promoted up the order, Beals bludgeoned five boundaries and four maximums in his 33-ball cameo before being run out.

Janaway (28) tasted the same fate but late contributions from skipper Harry Mitchell (10no) and Kieron Womble (2no), plus 39 extras, took Weymouth to 244-5 from 40 overs.

Needing more than a run per ball, the big-hitting House batsmen were into their stride as Harper again proved a thorn in Weymouth’s side.

Weymouth debutant Tarun Rampal (1-18) dismissed Rory Stewart-Richardson for his first wicket but Beals (2-54) proved expensive.

Chris Haynes, the second-top scorer in the Dorchester Evening League in 2019, hit a four and a six but Mitchell (2-18) intervened to oust him and Joe Watts (13).

Dropped catches and wayward bowling hindered Weymouth’s progress but the hosts refocused and stuck to their task late on.

Jack Sapsworth (3-14) and Dom Webb (1-9) both bowled well at the death to ensure Weymouth claimed maximum points.

Speaking to Echosport, Mitchell said: “The openers were outstanding first up and set the tone for the whole game with a 100-run partnership.

“John is hitting the ball really sweetly and then Lloyd and Janners’ partnership was really good.

“Lloyd didn’t just hit sixes, there were some really huge ones – we really accelerated and it made them have to go from ball one. It made a crucial difference.”

On a patchy bowling and fielding display, Mitchell said: “This week we were maybe a bit arrogant, thinking we’ve already won the game.

“As a captain that’s not what you’re looking for. The fielding was off, lethargic and the basics weren’t done.

“There was no urgency and every time we tried to get going something would happen like a mis-field or a dropped catch.

“There was a lot of pressure early on but then we took wickets and the spinners settled it down. That changed the game. After that, they capsized.”

Dorset Trade Skills man of the match: Lloyd Beals

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