WEYMOUTH 169 (6pts) lost to CHARLTON DOWN 170-2 (20pts) by eight wickets
WEYMOUTH suffered their heaviest defeat of the season as Charlton Down took a statement eight-wicket win at Redlands.
Both teams were missing several key players but Charlton Down acquitted themselves better in all three departments to take a deserved maximum-point win.
Going into the game, Weymouth had convincingly won their past three matches, scoring 249, 287 and 289.
However, after winning the toss and batting first, the Seasiders went into meltdown as Charlton Down’s skilful swing bowlers demolished their top order in humid conditions.
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Weymouth were 22-6 as left-arm seamer Mark Homewood (3-18) proved the catalyst, tempting stand-in skipper Tom England (0) into top-edging a pull to Roger Frapwell at square leg.
Homewood then clutched a magnificent one-handed return catch off Dean Janaway (6) before producing an unplayable inswinging yorker to bowl Connor Wills for a golden duck.
Nitin Joshi (2-34) then got in on the act as Jack Sapsworth (7) flicked an inswinger to Frapwell before Fletcher Tarry (3) nicked off.
Harry Mitchell (2) then chased a wayward Dan Samways delivery only to edge behind down the leg side to Nick Voss as Weymouth collapsed.
Tim Guyett (11) briefly held the fort before skying a catch off Ashley Hayes (3-37) as Weymouth were reduced to 46-7.
Shafeek Urumancheri (15) and Cube Whyte (50) then led a recovery, Whyte hitting a half-century off 70 balls including six fours and a maximum.
And Weymouth nearly batted out their 45 overs as Sami Rathnayake smashed 32 from 21 balls from number 11, the Seasiders closing on 169 all out.
The hosts had at least made a game of it but Voss quickly took control in a majestic innings.
Finding the middle of the bat with ease, Voss (101) hoisted three glorious sixes over long-off and added three more maximums, together with nine fours, to bring up his second century of the season.
He reached his ton off 75 balls before missing a swipe at Whyte (1-20) to leave Down on 157-2 after skipper Jack Eveleigh (16) was earlier caught by Sapsworth off Urumancheri (1-33).
Joshi (29no) and Hayes (3no) were then untroubled by a blunt Weymouth attack as the visitors breezed home in just 31.2 overs.
Speaking to Echosport, England said: “Full credit to Charlton Down on being worthy winners.
"We found ourselves in big trouble very early on being 22-6 after some good bowling and catching along with poor shot selection.
"Our lower order knuckled down and batted time before a late flurry got us to a respectable but below par score of 169.
"Cube batted very well and was well supported by Shaf, Michael (Pearce) and Sami.
"Full credit to Nick Voss who took the game from us with a great hundred, he punished any loose deliveries.
"From a personal point of view, the lads stuck to the task and took the game a lot further than it looked like going early doors.
"We have to keep showing that fighting spirit. We need to regroup and pick ourselves up before the next game at Sturminster and Hinton."
Elsewhere, Weymouth Seconds beat Poole Town Fourths by seven wickets in Division Five.
Charlton Down Seconds made it a club double, beating Swanage Thirds by six wickets in Division Six.
Dorset Trade Skills man of the match: Cube Whyte
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