WEYMOUTH 277-6 (17pts) beat PORTLAND RT 183-5 (8pts) by 93 runs
NEIL Walton scored a destructive 115 not out from 78 balls as Weymouth did the double over rivals Portland Red Triangle at Redlands.
The all-rounder notched a magnificent maiden century for the Seasiders, putting Portland to the sword with 13 fours and five sixes – his second 50 coming in just 19 balls.
Portland captain Matt Randell responded with his fifth consecutive half-century but Triangle fell too far below the asking rate, eventually losing by 93 runs.
Victory backed up Weymouth’s slender nine-run win over Triangle on the opening day and boosted them to third in County Division One above Hamworthy, who lost by five wickets at Marnhull.
Portland stay sixth and will hope for better fortunes at home to Swanage next weekend after a torrid day in the field.
Home captain Harry Mitchell invited Triangle to field first after winning the toss, despite a slightly damp pitch.
His decision eventually proved inspired as the Seasiders went on the attack from the off.
READ MORE: Weymouth held in dramatic tie at Marnhull
Impressive young bowler Eddie Moles (0-24) had to come off injured and thereafter Weymouth cut loose.
Openers Tom England and John Wilson (33) put on 73 for the first wicket until Wilson fell leg before to a low delivery from off-spinner Jack Marsh (1-27) – the pick of Portland’s attack.
New batsman Walton inside-edged an early chance over mid-wicket as Portland came back into the game through Matt Barrett’s off-spin.
England chipped Barrett to Chris Theakstone at short mid-wicket to end his well-crafted 38 and then Barrett clean bowled Jack Sapsworth (12) as Weymouth reached 107-3 after 22 overs.
But Weymouth then scored 180 in the final 18 overs as Walton accelerated after bringing up his half-century.
He was assisted by rapid knocks from Lloyd Beals (18), Tim Guyett (14) and Shafeek Urumancheri (12no).
When Mitchell (7) was bowled by Jon Cameron (1-55), Weymouth were 217-6 and Walton on 69 not out with just 28 deliveries to go.
That was until the all-rounder hammered a scorching 46 from his next 16 balls – including 20 in one Cameron over – to record his first ton for Weymouth.
The Seasiders eventually set 277-6 from their 40 overs, leaving Portland needing just shy of seven per over.
Triangle’s chase began promisingly as Dave Adkins (27) and Theakstone (28) found the boundary regularly early on.
Weymouth’s change bowlers stemmed the flow of runs as Urumancheri (2-27) delivered his best spell of the season to remove both batsmen.
Walton (2-13) then bowled Matt Barrett (0) and pinned Ryan Price (1) lbw as Portland were checked at 86-4.
With Portland’s chances of victory quickly fading, Randell battled on for an entertaining 60 from 70 balls, featuring seven fours and a six.
He eventually holed out to Guyett at cow corner, giving Mitchell (1-46) his only wicket.
Portland had by now chosen to go on the defensive for maximum batting points while ensuring Weymouth could not claim all 10 wickets for full bowling points.
That did not stop Ollie Whisker (36no) from slamming two big sixes as he finished unbeaten with Simon Barrett (13no), Portland closing on 183-5.
Speaking to Echosport, victorious skipper Mitchell said: “As a club we’re buzzing to get the double over Portland.
“It was a really good team performance. We wanted to be good in all three disciplines. It wasn’t a complete performance but pretty close to it.
“The openers made a real statement with a 50-plus partnership, it settles the nerves down and lets everyone else come out and play. After that it was the Neil Walton show.
“We all had the best seat in the house watching. The first half he built his innings, set it up.
“For the last 10 overs we put on 109 runs and his last 50 came off 19 balls. As a captain, you can’t ask for anything more. To go from 50 to 115 was a match-winning knock.
“To complete an innings like that it was amazing – one of the best I’ve seen in a Weymouth shirt, if not the best. The way he constructed it was pure class.”
Weymouth did miss out on three points, leaving Mitchell frustrated.
“We set our field out to restrict them from the start,” he said.
“Towards the back end they batted well to not give us anything. I don’t think at any point they went for the win – that’s what it felt like.”
Opposing skipper Randell had no complaints about the result.
He said: “I think we bowled too short. There was a bit in the pitch if we pitched it up but we just bowled poorly.
“We batted quite nicely, it’s hard when there’s 277 on the board. It’s hard to pace your innings especially when you’ve lost a few wickets.”
On his personal form of five straight half-centuries, he added: “It’s not bad. I feel in good nick.
“I don’t feel like getting out. I just want to cash in. There’s no point scoring runs if you’re not winning.
“We need to do what Neil did, go on and convert it. He played perfectly, put it together nicely.”
Elsewhere, Weymouth Seconds lost by four wickets to Dorchester Thirds in County Division Five North & West.
Royal Challengers Sports beat Portland Seconds by seven wickets in County Division Four.
Dorset Trade Skills man of the match: Neil Walton
CONTACT ME:
t: 01305 830999
e: neil.walton
@dorsetecho.co.uk
twitter: @EchoSportNeil
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