Weymouth 2nd XI

Weymouth 2nd XI: Steadman, Tom

Tom Steadman steered Weymouth Seconds to a comprehensive eight-wicket Dorset Division One success over neighbours Portland Red Triangle at Redlands.

The big-hitting opener smashed an excellent 95 as the Seasiders chased down a winning target of 179 with wickets and overs to spare.

After winning the toss on a scorching afternoon, Portland skipper Simon Barrett predictably chose to bat first. But the decision quickly backfired as South African Michael Barnardo removed the islanders' double century hero from the previous week, Jon Dixon, for a duck.

Triangle then slumped to 27-3 before Simon Browne and Ben Doidge embarked on a rebuilding exercise. This they did with good effect, taking the total on to 116 before Doidge was dismissed for 44.

Wickets then began to fall regularly with Portland eventually dismissed for 178 with nearly three overs remaining, following some tight bowling from Dan Hutchens (3-42) Barnardo (2-28), Dave Pearce (2-33) and Bill Trevett (2-25).

The home side began their reply cautiously with Johnny Armfield becalmed on just one run from 22 balls. Steadman, however, carefully played himself in and gradually began to find the boundary ropes on a regular basis. Of the visitors' attack, only Browne was able to bowl with any consistent accuracy.

The Salisbury footballer got some reward for his good spell when he finally trapped Steadman leg before although it was game over by then. Steadman's knock featured 14 fours and one towering maximum and the policeman was unlucky not to bring up three figures. Meanwhile Armfield, having ridden his luck early on, remained defiant at the crease with 55 runs to his name and was on hand to hit the winning runs to secure an easy 20 points for the Seasiders.

Weymouth captain Steve Budd said: "This was a good win for us. All the bowlers contributed and to restrict Portland to under 200 was no mean feat.

"Tom Steadman batted superbly and d he really deserved a century. Johnny Armfield admitted he was not in the best of touch but he hung in there and gave nothing away."

Triangle skipper Barrett added: "After our uneasy start, Simon Browne and Ben Doidge pulled things round in our favour and at 116-3 off 32 overs we were looking at a total of around 210.

"However, a little bit of panic seemed to set in and it is tragic not to bat out the full 45 overs particularly with Simon in such good form. In the field, our bowling was simply not up to the required standard. A big improvement is needed and quickly to give us any chance of competing at this level."

Weymouth 2nd XI 20, PRT 6