[img_assist|fid=6|thumb=1|alt=Wellington Sunday XI 245-9 – Weymouth Sunday XI 210]

The Sunday XI recorded a fantastic 35 run win over the Dorset Premier League leaders on their own patch as a really gutsy effort in the field from everybody concerned brought rewards.

Weymouth put Wellington into bat on winning the toss, which was a tad surprising when you consider that the track was white and hard. Rob Moysey and Thom Trott made the home side regret their decision as they plundered an opening stand of 149 in only 20 overs as they cut, pulled and drove with aplomb, grace and power.

But the fun was cut short when Moysey was left stranded in the middle of the pitch when a call for run was not gone through with and he had to go for a fine 72. Trott was not the same after this and he went one run later when he was caught at mid-wicket, but he too had played a fine hand of 58.

After the departure of the openers Wellington’s batting did not hit the heights again as all the other batsmen only realised 96 runs between them following the initial 149 run stand. But James Dyke, with a pugnacious 39no, gave some much needed late impetus to proceedings as Wellington made it to 245-9 by tea, still a good score, but one that was some 40 runs light of what it should have been.

Weymouth were reduced to 21-3 as the two Adrians – Lee and Hearn – did much damage. Lee took 2-18 before having to retire with a knee injury and to compound the injury situation, Rob Moysey was unable to take much of an active role in the field as he too suffered a knee injury and was replace in the field by John Paine and later Andy Perry.

Lawes and Hardy sensed that Wellington were finding it hard going in the field and they added 90 for Weymouth’s fourth wicket and they were doing this with some ease, so it came with a lot of relief that Adrian Lee made enough ground to take a good catch to see the back of Hardy for 46 as Alex Trott found his rhythm to eventually take his best Wellington figures of 3-56 in 8 overs. David Derrick took the catch that saw the back of Lawes for 51 as Trott added to his good day’s work with the ball.

Paul Short tied down the clubhouse end of the ground with some top quality off-spin that saw his go for only 19 in 8 steady overs as he had several leg before chances rejected, but he got rid of Ryall caught and bowled when he got a leading edge and only succeeded in chipping it back the length of the pitch.

Wellington’s bowling options were looking limited so David Derrick decided to press himself into action and after a poor first over he caused some problems for Weymouth with his loop and he removed Thomas as Sam Cook made a good stumping. Derrick took 1-31.

Alec Short took the ball for the last few overs after his brother had finished and he dealt the final blow to Weymouth as brother Paul took two fine catches on the long-off boundary to give Wellington a 35 run win with 4.1 overs left.

The team made the journey in a minibus and are indebted to Chris Bullock for doing the driving duties on the day.