SKIPPER Greg Parsons has called for a sharper approach from his Broadstone charges despite wet weather playing its part in Saturday’s defeat to title rivals Weymouth.

The hosts were all out for 207 at the Delph but with rain disrupting the day’s play, Weymouth were set a reduced target of 150 to win and secured their success by four wickets.

Broadstone openers Luke Carter (43) and Ben Manley posted 73 for the first wicket but both fell to deliveries from David Trotter (4-54).

Weymouth’s Jim Ryall (36) and Mat Lawes provided the platform for victory, opening with 73 in response but the biggest downfall for the home side was the concession of 35 extras, despite the best efforts of 15-year-old bowler Ross Tooley (3-21).

Parsons told the Daily Echo: “When the teams went off it was very closely contested. Weymouth were 118 for three when the rain came, at the same point in our innings we were 115 for four.

“They only required another 32 runs off 12 overs with seven wickets remaining that really put us out of the game.

“Looking back the lads would agree that apart from that, there were a couple of things that affected the result.

“Firstly not batting all of our allotted overs really hurt us, and while five of our batsman got to at least 20 runs no one went on to score a 50. You need the batsmen that get themselves in to go on a make a big score.

“The other major factor was our discipline when bowling. We gave them 35 extras which was far too many for a target of 150. You can’t afford to give teams that much of an advantage without being punished.”

At the summit, leaders and reigning champions Parley held on to top spot having narrowly beaten Swanage with a faster run rate.

The hosts made a solid enough start on 72 for two at Dean Park before Tom Jacques fired off 16 boundaries from his 100 deliveries to post an emphatic 105.

Roshan Embalagama (37 from 37 balls) and Luke Condron (38 from 44 balls) also registered impressive strike rates as Parley finished their 50 overs in 278 for seven.

Unbeaten Swanage pair Francis Kerins (51*) and Ben Baczala (27*) did all they could to support Robert Hatchard’s impressive bowling figures (4-51) but the rain failed to relent with the visitors stuck on 164 for three, 12 runs short of a winning total.

Recently-appointed Swanage captain Ricky King said: “We were very disappointed about the outcome of the game. The umpires did everything they could to get a proper conclusion to the match but ultimately the rain won out.”