Weymouth beat Beaminster by one wicket in classic

WEYMOUTH won an instant County Division Two classic at Beaminster by one wicket in an epic contest.

The Seasiders bowled well to dismiss the previously unbeaten Beaminster for 130 but were destined for defeat after a dismal batting display saw them slump to 76-9.

However, a miracle 55-run stand for the last wicket between Kieron Womble (42no) and debutant Rob Townley (23no) got Weymouth out of jail – the latter hitting the winning run via a dropped catch when the scores were tied.

Weymouth began this highly dramatic clash by winning the toss, fielding first and reducing Beaminster to 5-3 as Lloyd Beals bowled home skipper Chris Park (0).

READ MORE: Weymouth crash to Charlton Down loss

Will Moss (1) and Tom Fowler (0) were clean bowled by Johnny Armfield (4-30) playing ugly pull shots and Armfield also tempted Ross Baker to lift a catch to cover as the hosts slipped to 17-4.

Steadying the innings was Ben Golledge (45), who rescued Beaminster with an impressive knock on a wicket misbehaving off a length.

He was supported by Dan Hillier, whose 19 came off a gritty 58 balls, with the Seasiders dropping four tough chances in their 58-run partnership.

Hillier was eventually dismissed by a stunning catch from Dom Webb, who pouched the toughest chance of the innings.

Webb held on as a looping ball travelled over his shoulder to reward Townley, who bowled beautifully for his 1-19.

It ended a frustrating stand for the Seasiders, who were threatened with five penalty points after complaints over umpiring decisions.

Golledge then fell short of what would have been a deserved half-century, nicking Armfield behind to Womble.

Simon Jones (24no) then stroked an effortless six over deep cover to add late runs along with Adam Moss (12) but Neil Walton (2-18) returned with two late wickets to dismiss Beaminster for 130.

Weymouth's reply was under immediate pressure as the division’s joint-highest wicket-taker Nick Hollely made early inroads into the Seasiders’ top order.

He removed Harry Mitchell (0) and Walton (2) while Ollie Bareham (1-1) bowled an incredible eight maidens at the other end, tempting Webb (1) into slicing a catch to point.

Leg-spinner Bareham did not concede a run off the bat, only leaking a wide in the ninth and final over of an otherwise precise spell.

Womble and Jack Sapsworth (26) rebuilt but Weymouth’s progress was slow at 37-3 from 20 overs.

Baker (2-14) then bowled Sapsworth to leave Weymouth on 50-4 and the return of the outstanding Hollely looked like a match-winning decision from Park.

The left-arm swing bowler took three wickets in four balls, finding the outside edge of Armfield (4) before taking a good return catch off Beals (0) on the next ball.

Manoj Somaratne (0) survived the hat-trick ball but was castled next up as Weymouth crashed to 57-7.

Wickets continued to tumble as Beaminster edged closer to victory, Pete Sapsworth (6) and Neil Patel (0) perishing to leave Weymouth on the brink at 76-9.

However, the key moment in the game came as Townley was bowled by Simon Jones (1-39) for what would have been a golden duck, only for umpire Tony Quayle to signal a no-ball as Jones overstepped.

Townley’s reprieve enabled him to show the application missing throughout most of Weymouth’s innings, diligently blocking the straight balls and punishing anything loose.

His support allowed Womble to farm the strike and accumulate runs as the pair edged Weymouth back into the game by seeing off Beaminster’s senior bowlers.

As the tension increased to almost unbearable levels in the closing stages, Weymouth needed 24 from five overs.

But Mitchell’s men accelerated towards the winning line with Beaminster's best bowling options used up. It meant Park (0-9) was forced to bowl himself and Fowler (0-8) – a rare sight for Beaminster fans.

Weymouth were suddenly creeping closer to victory and Townley whipped a Fowler full toss to the square leg boundary to bring the scores level in a nailbiting conclusion.

And there was one final dramatic twist as Townley cut a short ball off Fowler to backward point, only for the chance to agonisingly go down and enable

Weymouth to scamper the single required for the most unlikely of wins.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Park said: "It was unusual for the Beaminster wicket to behave like that.

"I can't remember the last time there was a wicket that affected the outcome of the match like it did - or certainly the amount of runs.

"But, wow, what a game! I don't feel aggrieved. If the last wicket puts on 50 you've got to hold your hands up and say: 'Well played'.

"We were certainly one bowler short, or if Lahiru (Abeywickrama) was fit - he pulled a hamstring - it could've been different.

"Also, Jonesy bowling a no-ball - I can't remember the last time Simon bowled a no-ball."

Beaminster now travel to Shillingstone on Saturday looking to take a fourth win in five games (1.30pm).

Park will miss out but Will Moss steps up as vice-captain.

He said: "I spoke to the team and I said if we play anywhere near as good as we played on Saturday then we've got a chance of winning again."

Beaminster make three changes with Jonathan Gudge replacing Park and Tim Hey coming in for Dan Hillier.