SAGGIES continued from where they left off in the Echo Cup final to beat Moby Dick’s Bears again and move briefly to the top of Swift Signs Division One.

Ben Doidge (35) and Simon Browne (30) laid the foundations for the Saggies’ innings, supplemented by some forceful late knocks by Brendon King (22), Alex Browne (11no) and Paul Gadsby (18) as they set an imposing target of 144-5.

The Bears’ reply stuttered as wickets fell regularly, with John Ryan (2-27) and Simon Browne (2-19) tearing through the top order.

Dean Janaway (13) and Laurie Whyte (42) led a recovery, but their dismissals heralded a collapse with Gadbsy (3-49) and Doidge (2-13) picking up wickets as Saggies coasted home by 37 runs.

The Lugger moved into a share of third place after winning their mid-table battle with New Look.

Jon Dixon (53) led a one-man assault against New Look as all around him batsmen fell for single figures with Paul Chatterton (5-22) and Miranda (3-23) causing the damage.

Defending a total of 95, the Lugger kept it tight and struck early through Sam Polley (1-14) and Elil Thureirajah (4-16).

Nair (19) gave New Look some hope, but his dismissal by Males (2-29) saw them slump to 79 all out.

Portland Red Triangle have hit a late run of form and successive victories gave them a chance of avoiding relegation.

The islanders left it late against Budmouth in a thrilling encounter at the WindowMan Oval. The visitors had set a challenging total of 115 with Dave Baney (30) top-scoring as several partners got starts before losing their wickets.

In reply, Simon Proffitt’s 75, assisted by Elliott Sawyer (32), looked to have steered Triangle to the win until he was out with two runs required. A nervy finish saw John Walker eventually hit the winning runs off the final ball of the match.

Triangle then pulled off a shock win against league leaders Saggies, thanks to a fine 89 from Chris Leake as Portland posted 144-6 from their 16 overs.

Doidge (32) led the run chase but for once was overshadowed with the bat by a fine 46 from Alex Browne.

Saggies looked to be heading towards victory as Alex Browne was joined by Gadsby (20), but a late flurry of wickets from Matt Randell (3-35) saw the high-fliers finish nine runs short at the close.

Moby Dick’s Bears recovered from their loss to move back to a share of first place with a seven-wicket win over the Lugger.

Sami Rathnayake (3-11) was the pick of the bowlers as he carved up the Lugger’s openers before Marco Nott (38no) and Andy Jarvis (47no) came together to help set a total of 131-4.

Sam Polley (2-40) made early inroads, removing both openers, but was unable to dislodge Dean Janaway, whose unbeaten 66 saw the Bears home in the 12th over.

In Division Two, Southill Snooker Club were unable to close the gap on champions Albany Cavaliers as they lost to Wessex Gasworks at Budmouth.

A fantastic all-round performance from 16-year-old Ben Graham won the game for Gasworks. First, the talented teenager took 3-12 with the ball and then followed up with 35 not out with the willow.

Hallett (42) had inititally held Southill’s innings together as they finished on 77-8 from their 16 overs. Gasworks were then on the rack as Steven and Derek Legg combined to remove four of the top five, but Dave Buckland (17) and Graham joined forces to salvage the innings and steer Wessex to the points.