WEYMOUTH 149 (7pts) lost to CHARLTON DOWN 150-6 (21pts) by four wickets

WEYMOUTH suffered a second successive County Division Two defeat as Charlton Down claimed a four-wicket win at Redlands.

Just as in last week’s loss at Chalke Valley, fragilities with the Seasiders’ batting line-up were exposed.

It means Weymouth have now lost to both teams promoted from Division Three.

Their latest reverse came after winning the toss and choosing to bat first, with the wicket proving slow on occasion.

READ MORE: Weymouth lose to Chalke Valley by six wickets

The conditions were capitalised on by Mark Homewood (0-10) and James Pretty (1-19), who bowled tidy opening spells.

Lloyd Beals (13) was run out, Tom England (12) lofted a catch off Pretty and Neil Walton (5) mis-timed a pull shot off Kieran Heath (2-36) as Weymouth fell to 37-3.

Kieron Womble (40) held the innings together in preparation for a late blast as the Seasiders targeted a score of 200.

But their ambitions were quickly extinguished by a fine spell from Nick Voss, the seamer bowling Womble and working his way through the tail to record figures of 4-22.

Weymouth’s innings was quickly washed away, closing on 149 all out.

Charlton Down saw Roger Frapwell (6) bowled by Adam Hoyes (1-17) early in their reply, but captain Jack Eveleigh looked solid at the crease, along with Henry Dipple.

Walton (3-40) then removed Dipple (18) and Voss (0) in quick succession to leave Down on 57-3, before Sam Roles regained the initiative for the visitors.

He struck a rapid 42 from 50 balls alongside Eveleigh (28), who skied a slog off Beals (1-25) to mid-off.

Weymouth suddenly sensed a comeback and Walton returned to castle Roles, Down still needing 34 to win with five wickets in hand.

Charlton’s nerves jangled further when Pretty (1) was stumped off Harry Mitchell (1-20).

That was until Javed Gill (20no) took the fight to Weymouth’s attack, along with Heath (14no), steering their side to victory with seven balls to spare.

Speaking to Echosport, Weymouth skipper Mitchell said: “Batting first, you’re looking to set more than 149.

“We were just way below par. We didn’t build enough partnerships, we didn’t apply ourselves in the way we should’ve.

“Probably too many excuses, not digging in and putting in the hard yards was the main issue this week.

“Maybe an extra 20 or 30 runs would’ve won us the game. That’s the tough one, we’ve been bowled out by a side that haven’t had too much cutting edge.”

Weymouth Seconds beat Marnhull Thirds by three wickets to top County Division Six after three games.

Weymouth’s first team travel to unbeaten Beaminster on Saturday (1.30pm), while their seconds host Lytchett.

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