POOLE Town leapfrogged Parley at the Premier Division summit as the battle for silverware intensified at the weekend.

With both sides going into the latest round of matches with proud unbeaten records, there was little room for error as the pair continued to fight it out for Dorset League honours.

But the defending champions were the ones to let their guard down as they slipped to a two-wicket loss against Weymouth.

With rivals Poole, who finished runners-up last term, recording a six-wicket victory over Broadstone, Parley were knocked off the top and are now playing catch-up as they bid to retain their crown.

Parley’s first loss of the year came after they failed to recover after Weymouth’s Andrew Falloon had wiped out their top order with a hat-trick.

Despite losing the early flurry of wickets, the title contenders managed to post a reasonable score of 227. Jack Rowett was the mainstay with 95 and, together with Alex Nippard (38), he put on 94 for the eighth wicket, while Sam Reece also made a useful 26.

But it was not enough as Weymouth reached the target in the final over of a tight contest. Tom Blackley (2-38) was the pick of the Parley bowlers, with Weymouth thankful for Jim Ryall’s knock of 68.

Poole’s win came after Richard Armstrong hit an unbeaten 53 as they successfully chased Broadstone’s 176 all out with five overs remaining.

• Improving Wimborne and Colehill registered their second win of the campaign, although they were indebted to a major Blandford batting collapse.

Having opened their account the previous weekend, Wimborne made it two in two with a 15-run success over their rivals.

But it could have been a different story, had Alex White’s side taken advantage of the fine start they made to the game.

Blandford looked poised to claim their fourth victory of the season as they chased a target of 221.

But after reaching a very favourable position at 172 for two, they lost eight wickets for just 35 runs to finish agonisingly short.

Blandford got off to a perfect start by removing Wimborne skipper and key batsman Colin Randall with the first ball of the day. Aaron Day and Kev Robbins claimed three wickets apiece as Wimborne were eventually dismissed for 220 (James Miller 48).

In reply, Blandford made an impressive start through opener Jimmy Woodruff (41) and number three White (89).

But they failed to capitalise and seize the opportunity as they crumbled in the finishing straight, with Andy Hayward (4-16) and Rob Hatchard (3-9) the Wimborne bowling heroes.

• Ferndown Wayfarers lost by three wickets against Stalbridge.

James Stanton top-scored with 31 but Wayfarers were all out for just 153. That modest total looked like it could be enough, though, when they reduced Stalbridge to 59 for five and then 108 for seven. But despite Leigh Dunham’s two for 25, Stalbridge showed resistance in the lower order to get home.