Blackman & Davey condemn Weymouth to the drop

Weymouth Seconds are on the verge of being relegated from Dorset Division One following yet another batting collapse at Redlands. This time it was neighbours Portland Red Triangle who took advantage of the Seasiders' inability to capitalise in a promising opening.

At 102 without loss, the hosts were cruising towards a big total with Tommy England (63) and Andy Jarvis (35) making light work of an ordinary-looking Islanders' attack. However, once those two had departed, it was only wicketkeeper Gavin Lamb (35) who offered any resistance with Weymouth ending their 45-over stint at 184-9.

Portland's stars with the ball were spin twins(!) Jon Dixon and Jan Davey who between them collected eight of the nine wickets to fall. Veteran Dixon returned impressive figures of 3-51, while Davey picked up a five wicket haul at the cost of 41 runs from 12 overs.

Despite having what appeared a fairly easy target to chase, the visitors began to make a hash of it, with Mark Caswell (10) and Davey (0) both departing cheaply. And when Ben Doidge (4) provided the ever-accurate Graham Puckett with his second wicket of an outstanding spell, Triangle were in trouble at 40-3.

However, a superb 80 from keeper Dave Blackman, plus a solid (but unspectacular) 40 from former Weymouth man Will Curtis got Portland back on track with Dixon chipping in with a useful 19. With one over remaining, the batting side required three runs for victory and it was wise old head Jason Styles who found the boundary rope with two balls to spare.

Weymouth opener England said: "It was a bad toss to lose because the pitch was a bit damp to begin with but we should have at least posted 200. Once again we've made a good start and haven't been able to follow it through. Things look pretty grim for us now with Beaminster beating Sherborne but it's not over until the fat lady sings and so we'll keep on battling away."

Triangle skipper, John F. Ryan said: "Weymouth got off to a great start at 100-odd for no wicket and we were looking at having to chase a very big score. Tommy England batted particularly well but Jon and Jan did a fine job in pegging them back. Both bowled with a great deal of thought and I was happy to have restricted them to 184."

He added, "At times we looked a bit shaky with the bat and losing Cassy and Jan so early were a big blow. But Dave Blackman is in great form at the moment and he and Will Curtis set up what was a very plesing win."