THE Bears climbed to the top of the Swift Signs Weymouth League Division One with two more wins over Portland Red Triangle and Budmouth.

Portland had no answer to openers Dean Janaway (70) and Paul Payne’s (34) assault, who with support from Will McKay (26 not out) and Bill Trevett (47 not out) set an imposing 188-4.

The islanders were never in the hunt as the Bears stopped any run-scoring opportunities and Portland finished 148 runs behind.

Budmouth proved to be a sterner test as the league leaders were restricted to 86-5 from their 16 overs and the visitors made a good start through Paul Tweddle (17) and Dave Baney (21).

Skipper Laurie Whyte’s introduction turned the game as his seven-wicket haul dashed Budmouth’s hopes and the Bears won by 25 runs.

Tandoori Longshots got over their opening-day defeat by recording back-to-back wins.

New Look posted 88-6 with Kieron Womble (30) top scoring and Ellis (2-15) the pick of the bowlers.

Phil Eaton’s unbeaten 46 saw the Longshots home with two balls remaining.

Eaton was in fine form again against Red Triangle - this time reaching his half-century as Longshots scored 101-3.

Once again Triangle’s batsmen failed to fire, with only Dave Males (20 not out) and Callan Laws (25) reaching double figures as Longshots wrapped up a 37-run win.

Saggies moved up to second place in an excellent game that went down to the wire.

Budmouth were restricted to 78-8 with some tight bowling by openers Alex Browne (2-16) and Paul Gadsby (2-21). However, Saggies needed six off the last over and were indebted to veteran Dave Kiteley (20 not out), who used all his experience to see Saggies home.

The Lugger opened up a gap at the top of Division Two with wins against the Portland Arms and the Marquis of Granby.

A fine performance from all The Lugger’s bowlers reduced the Arms to 51-8 at the YOI.

The Lugger survived an early scare as Steven Browne (2-15) and Simon Davies (2-18) tore through the top order but Turner (23 not out) guided his side to a five-wicket victory.

The Marquis of Granby surrendered their unbeaten record at Budmouth, with Lugger captain Sam Polley’s (1-8) five-over spell proving virtually unplayable.

Luke Carrington (22 not out) helped his side post 65-6 and then with Dunham (4-28) starred with ball, taking 3-21.

The Lugger’s Graham Condell (32) and Richard Bament (16) kept their heads to lead the run chase as they scraped home by three wickets.

Wessex Gasworks and Cosmos were involved in a thrilling match at Redlands.

Cosmos’ Brian Keane (66) and Rob Hodges (25) put on 87 for the first wicket, but the innings faltered with some tidy bowling from John Willshire (3-29) and Ryan Price (3-13), restricting Cosmos to 109.

Keane’s 50 was the fastest scored for Cosmos in their 30-year history.

Wessex Gas made steady progress towards the target thanks to Gibson (23) and Wilkes (28), and needed 18 off the final over to win, which proved just out of reach with the game ending in a tie.

The Gasworks moved to third spot with a 10-wicket win over the Portland Arms.

Mark Cottingham (3-13) dismissed the top order, with John Willshire (2-9) proving a thorn in the middle order as the Arms could only muster 40-8.

Derek Millen (32 not out) almost singled-handedly led the run chase as Wessex Gas knocked off the runs in six overs.

The George Inn got their first win of the season against Cosmos at Redlands.

The visitors posted 101-3 with Simon Proffett (30 not out), Callan Laws (26) and Peter Tombs (28) all contributing.

In reply, Les Spencer (2-21) dismissed the always-dangerous Keane (19) but it was the introduction of Proffett (4-28) which helped seal the win.